p-eIF4E (Ser 209) Antibody: sc-12885

eIF4E Background Information
Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binds to the mRNA cap structure, thereby mediating the initiation of translation. eIF4E interacts with eIF4G, which serves as a scaffold protein for the assembly of eIF4E and eIF4A, to form the eIF4F complex. The activity of eIF4E is regulated by at least two mechanisms: inactivation through binding to 4E-BP1 in quiescent cells; and phosphorylation of eIF4E at Serine 209, which can be induced by mitogens, growth factors, hormones and some types of stress. Phosphorylation of eIF4E enhances the affinity of eIF4E for capped mRNA and for eIF4G, generating a more stable eIF4F complex. Mitogens stimulate phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 causing the release of eIF4E. Thus, eIF4E is a phosphoprotein whose phosphorylation state positively correlates with cell proliferation and growth. MAP kinase-interacting protein kinase-1, which has been shown to phosphorylate eIF4E at Serine 209, is considered a good candidate for the eIF4E kinase.