Single-molecule dynamics of eIF4E-mediated messenger RNA recognition

Recognition of the mRNA 5' cap by the heterotrimeric eIF4F complex is a critical step in eukaryotic translation initiation. As the final point of regulation prior to protein synthesis, regulation of steps of initiation is critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Despite efforts to characterize steps of translation initiation in real time, a detailed understanding of how cap recognition may vary between transcripts, and the contributions of individual initiation factors, is lacking due to an absence of appropriate methods.