Human Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E,EIF4E ELI

Recognizes and binds 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 (PubMed:16271312, PubMed:22578813).

In addition to its role in translation initiation, also acts as a regulator of translation and stability in the cytoplasm (PubMed:24335285).

Component of the CYFIP1-EIF4E-FMR1 complex which binds to the mRNA cap and mediates translational repression: in the complex, EIF4E mediates the binding to the mRNA cap (By similarity).

Component of a multiprotein complex that sequesters and represses translation of proneurogenic factors during neurogenesis (By similarity).

In P-bodies, component of a complex that mediates the storage of translationally inactive mRNAs in the cytoplasm and prevents their degradation (PubMed:24335285).

May play an important role in spermatogenesis through translational regulation of stage-specific mRNAs during germ cell development (By similarity).

{ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P63073, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P63074, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16271312, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22578813, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24335285}.