This gene encodes one of the translation initiation factors, which functions to stimulate the initiation of protein synthesis at the level of mRNA utilization. This gene is deleted in Williams syndrome, a multisystem developmental disorder caused by the deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23. Alternative splicing of this gene generates 2 transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in rats demonstrated that hypothalamic mRNA expression of the EIF4H was significantly lower in hypothermic animals compared to controls, with 27 tags in control versus 8 tags in hypothermia, identifying it as a differentially expressed transcript useful for hypothermic diagnosis [Takamiya et al. DOI:10.1016/J.Jflm.2012.04.017].