Eukaryotic translation is a complex biochemical process requiring several initiation factors. The first step in the initiation of mRNA translation involves binding of the small ribosomal subunit to mRNA.1 The central component in the recruitment of the pre-initiation complex during translation is the eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) complex, composed of eIF4A, eIF4E, and eIF4G1/eIF4G3.2 The 5-terminal end of eukaryotic mRNA has a common cap structure that is important for stabilizing mRNA and ribosome binding.3 The eIF4E component binds specifically to the mRNA cap structure to initiate protein synthesis by recognizing methyl-7-guanosine.2,4 eIFA is a DEAD-box helicase, responsible for unwinding the mRNA, while eIF4G acts as a scaffold protein with binding sites for the poly(A)-binding protein and eIF3. eIF4G also possesses central and C-terminal eIF4A binding sites and a C-terminal binding site for the protein kinase Mnk1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase-interacting kinase).5 Mnk1 phosphorylates eIF4E at Ser209, which is believed to be essential for eIF4Es oncogenic potential.6,7,8 Further, overexpression of eIF4e is seen in many human malignancies, including brEAst, colon, hEAd and neck carcinomas, and others.9,10Technical InformationSynonymseIF-4F 25 kDa subunitEukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4EmRNA Cap-binding ProteinPurity85%SourceRecombinant N-terminal GST-tagged protein expressed in E. coliMW51.8 kDaFormulation50 mM sodium bicarbonate, pH 8.6, containing 100 mM sodium chloride and 5% glycerol