Component of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) complex, which is required for several steps in the initiation of protein synthesis. The eIF-3 complex associates with the 40S ribosome and facilitates the recruitment of eIF-1, eIF-1A, eIF-2:GTP:methionyl-tRNAi and eIF-5 to form the 43S preinitiation complex (43S PIC). The eIF-3 complex stimulates mRNA recruitment to the 43S PIC and scanning of the mRNA for AUG recognition. The eIF-3 complex is also required for disassembly and recycling of post-termination ribosomal complexes and subsequently prevents premature joining of the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits prior to initiation. HAMAP-Rule MF_03003Asano K., J. Biol. Chem. 272:27042-27052(1997).Kalnine N., Submitted (MAY-2003) to the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ databases.Collins J.E., Genome Biol. 5:RESEARCH84.1-RESEARCH84.11(2004).