Cap analysis of the late 26S Semliki Forest viral mRNA reveals that almost 30% of the caps possess both a methyl group at the N(7)-position and one at the N(2)-position. We have compared the degree of methylation of the caps of polysomal and non-polysomal 26S mRNA in order to check whether this feature is responsible for its translation late in infection. It was found that extra methyl groups on the caps cause a lower rate of initiation. Polysomal 26S mRNA contained less m2,7G- and m2,2,7G-caps than free 26S. The cap analog m2,2,7Gp was slightly less inhibitory than m7Gp in an in vitro translation system.