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 pre-initiation 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. The eIF-3 complex specifically targets and initiates translation of a subset of mRNAs involved in cell proliferation, including cell cycling, differentiation and apoptosis, and uses different modes of RNA stem-loop binding to exert either translational activation or repression. This subunit binds directly within the mRNA entry channel of the 40S ribosome to the aminoacyl (A) site. It may regulate the interaction between the 43S PIC and mRNA. Component of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) complex, which is composed of 13 subunits: EIF3A, EIF3B, EIF3C, EIF3D, EIF3E, EIF3F, EIF3G, EIF3H, EIF3I, EIF3J, EIF3K, EIF3L and EIF3M. The eIF-3 complex appears to include 3 stable modules: module A is composed of EIF3A, EIF3B, EIF3G and EIF3I; module B is composed of EIF3F, EIF3H, and EIF3M; and module C is composed of EIF3C, EIF3D, EIF3E, EIF3K and EIF3L. EIF3C of module C binds EIF3B of module A and EIF3H of module B, thereby linking the three modules. EIF3J is a labile subunit that binds to the eIF-3 complex via EIF3B. The eIF-3 complex interacts with RPS6KB1 under conditions of nutrient depletion. Mitogenic stimulation leads to binding and activation of a complex composed of MTOR and RPTOR, leading to phosphorylation and release of RPS6KB1 and binding of EIF4B to eIF-3. Phosphorylated. Phosphorylation is enhanced upon serum stimulation. Belongs to the eIF-3 subunit J family.