Fig. 1. (a) mRNA cap recognition (represented by m7GTP shown as yellow CPK sticks) and binding of eIF4G or 4E-BPs (represented by a peptide derived from 4E-BP1 shown as a cyan cartoon) occurs on opposite faces of eIF4E (green cartoon). Apart from direct cap-binding antagonists, allosteric inhibitors (binding pose of 4-EGI1 [22] shown as magenta sticks) and inhibitors derived from eIF4G and 4E-BPs [23] are being developed. Whereas m7GTP-binding is dominated by polar interactions between the cationic N-methylpurine system and eIF4E residues W56, W102, and E103 (cationep interaction and H-bonds), as well as the phosphate groups with residues R157, K159, and K162,