Mitochondrial Translation Initiation Factor 3: Structure, Functions, Interactions, and Implication in Human Health and Disease.

Mitochondria are essential organelles of eukaryotic cell that provide its respiratory function by means of the electron transfer chain. Expression of mitochondrial genes is organized in a bacterial-like manner; however multiple evolutionary differences are observed between the two systems, including translation initiation machinery. This review is dedicated to the mitochondrial translation initiation factor 3 (IF3mt), which plays a key role in the protein synthesis in mitochondria. Involvement of IF3mt in human health and disease is discussed.