Oncogenic activation of EEF1A2 expression - a journey from a putative to an established oncogene

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Protein synthesis via translation depends on essential translation factors that control cell growth, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. Eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha 2 (EEF1A2) is highlighted for its canonical, GTP-dependent role in delivering aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome A-site, and for distinct tissue distribution versus EEF1A1. Aberrant “switch on” of EEF1A2 in normal tissues is linked to oncogenic transformation across solid tumors. The review compiles evidence of EEF1A2 overexpression in seven cancer types, explains molecular mechanisms and interacting partners, and evaluates its therapeutic potential as an oncogene target.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 isoforms and expression patterns

EEF1A2 as a putative oncogene and links to signaling pathways

Prognostic and biomarker associations

Therapeutic targeting approaches

Patel et al. Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters (2024) 29:6 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-023-00519-9](https://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-023-00519-9) Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters MINI REVIEW Open Access Oncogenic activation of EEF1A2 expression: a journey from a putative to an established oncogene Saket Awadhesbhai Patel 1,2, Md. Khurshidul Hassan 1,2 and Manjusha Dixit 1,2* *Correspondence: [manjusha@niser.ac.in](manjusha@niser.ac.in) 1 School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Room No. 204, P. O. Jatni, Khurda, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 752050, India 2 Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India Abstract Protein synthesis via translation is a central process involving several essential proteins called translation factors. Although traditionally described as cellular “housekeepers,”multiple studies have now supported that protein initiation and elongation fac tors regulate cell growth, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. One such translation factor is eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha 2 (EEF1A2), a member of the eukaryotic elongation factor family, which has a canonical role in the delivery of aminoacyl-tRNAto the A-site of the ribosome in a guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP)-dependent manner. EEF1A2 differs from its closely related isoform, EEF1A1, in tissue distribution. While EEF1A1 is present ubiquitously, EEF1A2 replaces it in specialized tissues. The reason why certain specialized tissues need to essentially switch EEF1A1 expression altogether with EEF1A2 remains to be answered. Abnormal “switch on” of the EEF1A2 gene in normal tissues is witnessed and is seen as a cause of oncogenic transformation in a wide variety of solid tumors. This review presents the journey of finding increased expression of EEF1A2 in multiple cancers, establishing molecular mechanism, and exploring itas a target for cancer therapy. More precisely, we have compiled studies in seven types of cancers that have reported EEF1A2 overexpression. We have discussed the effect of aberrant EEF1A2 expression on the oncogenic properties of cells, signaling pathways, and interacting partners of EEF1A2 . More importantly, in the last part, we have discussed the unique potential of EEF1A2 as a therapeutic target. This review article gives an up-to-date account of EEF1A2 as an oncogene and can draw the attention of the scientific community, attracting more research. Keywords: Cancer, EEF1A1, EEF1A2, PI3K, AKT Introduction EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 are two isoforms of the EEF1A, which play essential roles in the elongation step of protein translation. EEF1A2 and EEF1A1 genes have been mapped to chromosomal positions 20q13.3 and 6q14, respectively. Despite their high degree of similarity in coding regions, they exhibit differences in genetic structure and expression patterns. EEF1A1 is mostly ubiquitously expressed; in contrast, EEF1A2 exhibits a more restricted expression pattern, primarily found in differentiated tissues such as skeletal © The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://](http://)[ ](http://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.

FAQs

What is EEF1A2 and what core role does it play in translation?

EEF1A2 is a eukaryotic elongation factor that supports the delivery of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome A-site in a GTP-dependent manner.

How is EEF1A2 connected to oncogenic transformation in solid tumors?

The review describes abnormal activation of EEF1A2 expression in normal tissues, which is observed as a cause of oncogenic transformation across many solid tumor types.

What does the review say about EEF1A2 as a cancer therapy target?

It compiles studies showing EEF1A2 overexpression and discusses molecular mechanisms, then highlights EEF1A2’s unique potential as a therapeutic target.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven