This gene encodes a member of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein family. The gene products of this family bind eIF4E and inhibit translation initiation. However, insulin and other growth factors can release this inhibition via a phosphorylation-dependent disruption of their binding to eIF4E. Regulation of protein production through these gene products have been implicated in cell proliferation, cell differentiation and viral infection. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2008].