Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E type 2 (EIF4E2)

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E type 2 (EIF4E2) is a member of the EIF4E family of mRNA cap-binding proteins. Unlike canonical EIF4E, EIF4E2 (also known as 4EHP) recognizes and binds the 7-methylguanosine cap of mRNA, but mainly acts as a translational repressor by competing with EIF4E and preventing the assembly of the eIF4F complex. EIF4E2 is involved in negative regulation of translation initiation, miRNA-mediated gene silencing, and antiviral immune responses. It is a component of the 4EHP-GYF2 complex and assists ribosome-associated quality control by blocking initiation on faulty mRNAs. EIF4E2 is expressed in diverse tissues and has emerging roles in cellular stress responses and infection, including the regulation of interferon production upon viral challenge such as SARS-CoV-2. No approved drugs directly target this protein, but its regulatory activities make it of interest in fields such as cancer biology and antiviral immunity[1][2][3][6].

Other names

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E family member 2EIF4EL3IF4e4EHPEukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E homologous proteinEukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-like 3Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E type 2eIF-4E type 2eIF4E type 2h4EHPmRNA cap-binding protein 4EHPmRNA cap-binding protein type 3eIF4E-like cap-binding proteineIF4E-like protein 4E-LP

Drugs theoretically targeting EIF4E2 would modulate mRNA translation by interfering with cap-binding or by altering repressor function in the initiation complex. Actual drugs/mechanisms are not described in available sources.