Component of the protein complex eIF4F, which is involved in the recognition of the mRNA cap, ATP-dependent unwinding of 5'-terminal secondary structure and recruitment of mRNA to the ribosome (PubMed:15469495, PubMed:21283665). Recognizes and binds the 7-methylguanosine-containing mRNA cap during an early step in the initiation of protein synthesis and facilitates ribosome binding by inducing the unwinding of the mRNAs secondary structures (PubMed:15469495, PubMed:21283665). Key component of recessive resistance to potyviruses (PubMed:15469495, PubMed:17849710, PubMed:21283665, PubMed:24609094). (Microbial infection) Susceptibility host factor required for viral infection by recruiting viral RNAs to the host ribosomal complex via an interaction with viral genome-linked protein (VPg) (PubMed:15469495, PubMed:17849710, PubMed:24609094, PubMed:21283665). Seems also involved in virus movement from cell-to-cell (PubMed:15469495). EIF4F is a multi-subunit complex, the composition of which varies with external and internal environmental conditions. It is composed of at least EIF4A, EIF4E and EIF4G. EIF4E is also known to interact with other partners. In higher plants two isoforms of EIF4F have been identified, named isoform EIF4F and isoform EIF(iso)4F. Isoform EIF4F has subunits p220 and p26, whereas isoform EIF(iso)4F has subunits p82 and p28. (Microbial infection) Interacts with potyvirus viral genome-linked protein (VPg); this interaction is possible in susceptible hosts but impaired in resistant plants. (Microbial infection) Binds to potyvirus viral genome-linked protein (VPg) in the nucleus and with potyvirus nuclear inclusion protein A (NIa-Pro) and nuclear inclusion protein B (NIb) in the cytoplasm. According to the redox status, the Cys-126-Cys-164 disulfide bridge may have a role in regulating protein function by affecting its ability to bind capped mRNA. Variant present in the strain cv. PI 347464, allele A-5, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1546, allele A-2, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1787, allele 1, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strains cv. JI 1194, cv. CGN-3311, cv. ATC-7140, cv. ATC-3275, cv. ATC-7134, cv. IPK-477 and cv. CGN-3319, allele B-1, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. CGN-3302, allele A-1, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. PI 269774, allele A-7, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. PI 347328, allele S-2, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 2646, allele S-7, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strains cv. JI 1091 and JI 3001, allele S-1, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1632, allele S-4, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 2630, allele S-1, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strains cv. JI 2643, cv. Fjord, cv. JI 261, cv. JI 194, cv. JI 205, cv. JI 1109, cv. JI 267, cv. PI 505122, cv. PI 639981, cv. JI 1104, cv. JI 1108, cv. ATC-6927, cv. ATC-7173, cv. JI 1758, cv. JI 1030, cv. JI 190, cv. PI 357290, cv. JI 193, cv. JI 2607, cv. JI 2571, cv. JI 1107, cv. JI 1085, cv. JI 2065, cv. JI 1121, cv. JI 1756, cv. JI 182 and cv. JI 3157, alleles S-1, eIF4E(S) and C-1, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV). Variant present in the strain cv. Dark skinned Perfection, confers susceptibility to bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) pathotype W. Variant present in the strains cv. JI 2009, alleles susceptible and SBM1, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotypes 1 and 4. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1405, allele resistant-1, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. PI 269818, alleles resistant-2, sbm1, eIF4E(R) and A-6, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. Bonneville, confers susceptibility to bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) pathotype W. Variant present in the strain cv. Brutus, confers susceptibility to bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) pathotype W. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1007, allele S-5, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1010, allele S-6, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strains cv. PI 347422, cv. ATC-6931 and cv. PI 347484, allele S-3, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1845, allele S-1, confers susceptibility to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1090, allele B-3, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. JI 1370, allele B-2, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. PI 378158, allele A-4, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Variant present in the strain cv. VIR 1589, allele C-2, confers an increased resistance to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) pathotype P1. Displayed sequence is in strains cv. JI 967, cv. IPK-468, cv. JI 1788, cv. IPK-479, cv. PI 193586, cv. PI 193835, cv. PI 347494, cv. JI 467, cv. JI 1260, cv. JI 1790, cv. ATC-1044, cv. PI 116056, cv. PI 193835, cv. PI 356991, cv. PI 356992, cv. PI 347464, cv. PI 249645, cv. PI 193584 and allele A-1 which confers resistance to bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) pathotype W and to pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PsBMV). Belongs to the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E family.