ATP-dependent RNA helicase which is a subunit of the eIF4F complex involved in cap recognition and 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 (By similarity). ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate 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 (By similarity). Pollen specific. Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. eIF4A subfamily.