A full-length cDNA clone encoding the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A, isoform 2 (EIF4A2), was cloned from the fetal skeletal cDNA library from the pig (Sus scrofa). EIF4A2 is a highly conserved gene for one of the protein-synthesis initiation factors involved in the binding of mRNA to the ribosome. Based on this cDNA sequence, the deduced protein of 407 amino acids contains the characteristic motifs shared by the DEAD-box supergene family. The genomic nucleotide sequence of this gene was determined and a single nucleotide polymorphism located in the 5' untranslated region was genotyped. The porcine EIF4A2 was expressed in all tissues examined but in variable amounts. The EIF4A2 expression level in muscle was upregulated through embryonic and neonatal development until adult, suggesting that porcine EIF4A2 was possibly involved in translation regulation of other muscle-related genes in muscle formation and development. In addition, we mapped porcine EIF4A2 to q4.1 of SSC13, in agreement with comparative mapping data.