EIF4A1 (Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A, Isoform 1), also called as EIF4A or DDX2A, is a ATP dependent RNA helicase which is a subunit of the eIF4F complex involved in cap recognition. It is required for mRNA binding to ribosome. In the current model of translation initiation, eIF4A unwinds RNA secondary structures in the 5'-UTR of mRNAs which is necessary to allow efficient binding of the small ribosomal subunit, and subsequent scanning for the initiator codon. This protein is involved in the binding of mRNA to 40S subunit of ribosome, ubiquitous with high expression in skeletal muscle and ovary. The helicase activity of EIF4A1 and function in translation are inhibited by interaction with PDCD4.
