Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E is a 217 amino acids protein that belongs to the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E family. eIF4F is a multi-subunit complex, the composition of which varies with external and internal environmental conditions. It is composed of at least EIF4A, EIF4E and EIF4G1/EIF4G3. EIF4E is also known to interact with other partners.It can recognize and bind the 7-methylguanosine-containing mRNA cap during an early step in the initiation of protein synthesis and facilitates ribosome binding by inducing the unwinding of the mRNAs secondary structures.