InterPro domain: IPR023398

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E) [ 1 ] is a protein thatbinds to the cap structure of eukaryotic cellular mRNAs. eIF-4E recognises and bindsthe 7-methylguanosine-containing (m7Gppp) cap during an early step in the initiationof protein synthesis and facilitates ribosome binding to a mRNA by inducing the unwindingof its secondary structures. A tryptophan in the central part of the sequence of humaneIF-4E seems to be implicated in cap-binding [ 2 ].

This entry includes a group of eIF4E-like protein. These proteins consist of a curved eight-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet, decorated with three helices on the convex face and three smaller helices inserted in connecting loops [ 3 ].

1. Cap recap: the involvement of eIF-4F in regulating gene expression. Cell 68, 177-180
2. Combination of Trp and Glu residues for recognition of mRNA cap structure. Analysis of m7G base recognition site of human cap binding protein (IF-4E) by site-directed mutagenesis. FEBS Lett. 280, 207-10
3. Structure of translation factor eIF4E bound to m7GDP and interaction with 4E-binding protein. Nat. Struct. Biol. 4, 717-24