Binding of eIF4E to the cap structure (m(7)GpppN) plays a critical role in mRNA translation. To study the interaction between eIF4E and cap, and to identify small molecule inhibitors of their binding, we synthesized a fluorescent-labeled cap analogue and used it to develop a fluorescence-polarization assay. This preliminary communication describes the synthesis of a fluorescein labeled 7-methylguanosinemonophosphate, and its dose dependent binding to purified human eIF4E as demonstrated by the fluorescence polarization assay.