The 700-kD eukaryotic translation initiation factor-3 (eIF3) is the largest eIF and contains at least 12 subunits, including EIF2S12. eIF3 plays an essential role in translation by binding directly to the 40S ribosomal subunit and promoting formation of the 40S preinitiation complex (Mayeur et al., 2003 [PubMed 14519125]).[supplied by OMIM, Mar 2008].