Plasma-borne growth factors and hormones drive constitutive translation in platelets through activation of MNK via the ERK/p38 signaling pathway. MNK activates the translation initiation complex, consisting of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) eIF4A, eIF4G, and eIF4E, through phosphorylation of the latter. Plasma-driven constitutive protein synthesis modulates platelet reactivity and contributes to the overall thrombotic potential. Professional illustration by Patrick Lane, ScEYEnce Studios.