Nahum Sonenberg

File:Nahum Sonenberg.jpg

Nahum Sonenberg

Born	December 29, 1946
Birth place	Wetzlar, Germany
Nationality	Canadian
Known for	Discovery of eIF4E

Nahum Sonenberg (born December 29, 1946) is a renowned Canadian biochemist and molecular biologist, best known for his discovery of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and his pioneering work on the regulation of protein synthesis. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of how cells control the production of proteins, which is fundamental to all biological processes.

Early Life and Education

Nahum Sonenberg was born in Wetzlar, Germany, and later moved to Israel. He completed his undergraduate studies in biochemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He then pursued his Ph.D. at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where he conducted research on the regulation of protein synthesis.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Sonenberg moved to the United States for postdoctoral research at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology. It was during this time that he discovered the cap-binding protein eIF4E, a critical component in the initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells.

Discovery of eIF4E

The discovery of eIF4E was a groundbreaking advancement in the field of molecular biology. eIF4E is a part of the eIF4F complex, which is essential for the recruitment of ribosomes to the mRNA cap structure, a key step in the initiation of translation. Sonenberg's work demonstrated that eIF4E is a rate-limiting factor in translation initiation, and its activity is tightly regulated by various mechanisms, including phosphorylation and interaction with eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs).

Regulation of Translation

Sonenberg's research has elucidated the complex regulatory networks that control translation initiation. He has shown how signaling pathways, such as the mTOR pathway, influence the activity of eIF4E and other translation factors. His work has implications for understanding diseases such as cancer, where dysregulation of protein synthesis is a common feature.

Contributions to Cancer Research

Sonenberg's insights into the regulation of translation have had a profound impact on cancer research. The overexpression of eIF4E is associated with tumorigenesis, and targeting the eIF4E pathway is considered a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment. His research continues to explore the role of translation control in cell growth and proliferation.

Awards and Honors

Nahum Sonenberg has received numerous awards for his contributions to science, including the Gairdner Foundation International Award, the Wolf Prize in Medicine, and election to the Royal Society of Canada. His work is widely recognized for its impact on both basic science and its potential applications in medicine.

Also see

• Translation (biology)
• Eukaryotic initiation factors
• mTOR signaling pathway
• Protein synthesis
• Cancer biology