The initiation of translation is an important biological event, and a variety of factors contribute to this process. The eIF4 family of translation initiation factors bind to the 5' m7GTP mRNA cap and function to unwind the secondary structure of mRNA (1,2). The amino-terminal portion of eIF4G physically associates with eIF4E and stimulates the binding of eIF4E to the mRNA cap structure (3). eIF4G also interacts with eIF3 and eIF4A (4), serving as an adaptor molecule in the eIF4 complex. Moreover, eIF4G also plays a role in internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-mediated initiation of translation (5,6).