eIF4E, a protein modulates translation of maternal mRNAs in early embryos before the onset of zygotic transcription. eIF4E also influences the overall rate of translation. eIF4E binds to the 7 methyl GTP cap structure of eukaryotic mRNAs. Phosphorylation of eIF4E on serine 209 regulates the affinity of this protein for the 7 methyl GTP cap and/or RNA. Phosphorylation also enhances the interaction of eIF4E with eIF4G, which form a complex known as eIF4F. eIF4E phosphorylation is correlated with increased translational rate in a number of cell types.
