In Chapter 2, I will be describing our characterization of an alternative translation initiation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 2A (eIF2A). From the initial discovery of this protein in the 1970’s, eIF2A has been implicated in non-canonical translation initiation processes and has been shown to be important for responding to stress. Using available genome-wide genetic interaction datasets for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we identified and characterized the genetic interaction between eIF2A and TIF1 (the DEAD-box helicase component of the eIF4F complex, eIF4A). We found that strains with both proteins deleted exhibited translational reprogramming that resulted in a sensitivity to metabolic stressors. As an exciting entry into detailed in vitro characterization, we also overcame a hurtle in the recombinant expression of the human version of eIF2A and have begun re-examining the previously held assumptions about the mechanism of eIF2A-dependent translation. Main Content Download PDF to ViewView Larger For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file [/content/qt6pr6t25d/qt6pr6t25d.pdf?t=r97147] to your device.