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. 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. Belongs to the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E family.