摘要:
Binding of eIF-4E to the 5'm7G cap structure of eukaryotic mRNA signals the initiation of protein synthesis. In the present invention, the binding site cap-binding domain of eIF-4E was identified as the region containing the sequence Trp?113 to Arg122¿. Thus, in a first preferred embodiment the present invention provides a truncated peptide of the cap binding protein consisting essentially of the mRNA cap-binding domain. Specifically, the invention concerns eIF-4E cap binding peptide and its variants. In additional preferred embodiments, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes a truncated peptide of the eIF-4E protein consisting essentially of the mRNA cap-binding domain of eIF-4E; a recombinant vector and host cell comprising the above-described nucleic acid molecule; and a recombinant peptide produced thereby. The invention further provides the truncated or recombinant peptides immobilized on a solid support, a resin comprising the truncated or recombinant peptides immobilized on a solid support, methods and kits for isolating a capped mRNA molecule, and methods and kits for producing a full-length cDNA molecule.