Overproduction of a conserved domain of fission yeast and mammalian translation initiation factor eIF4G causes aberrant cell morphology and results in disruption of the localization of F-actin and the organization of microtubules.

This is the first demonstration of a link between a translation initiation factor and mechanisms controlling cell morphology. The data suggest a direct or indirect interaction between the functional domains of eIF4G and cellular structures involved in cytokinesis.