Overview:

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E (EIF4E), plays a role in translation initiation where it binds the 5 m7G cap found on mRNAs. EIF4E governs cell cycle progression and cellular proliferation by coordinately the expression of several genes at the post-transcriptional level. EIF4E functions as a central node of an RNA regulon, which plays an essential role in normal differentiation and development (1). The significant association of EIF4E with VEGF and cyclin D1 in multiple tumors supports a role for EIF4E in translational regulation of proteins related to angiogenesis and growth. The overexpression of EIF4E is involved in the malignant progression of human breast cancer (2).

Gene Aliases:

CBP

Genbank Number:

NM_001968

References:

1. Culjkovic, B. et al: Controlling gene expression through RNA regulons: the role of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E. Cell Cycle. 2007; 6(1):65-9.

2. Zhou, S. et al: Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and angiogenesis: prognostic markers for breast cancer. BMC Cancer. 2006; 30 (6): 231