This is a request for help regarding the conformation of mRNA during translation.

I am working on an animation illustrating gene expression. I am hoping to represent the RNA during translation as accurately as possible (while still clearly communicating the main ideas). Is the following sequence correct?

During cap-dependent translation initiation, poly-A associates through poly-A binding proteins (PABP) with eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and some other initiation factors.
http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/abstract/282/35/25247
This makes the mRNA form a loop.
Once the small subunit moves toward the start codon, it takes along eIF4G (I gather from the figure on this page):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eukaryotic_translation
This implies that the circularized mRNA is forming a lariat-like structure, with the single stem of the lariat getting longer as the small subunit moves farther from the 5’-cap of the mRNA.

What happens when the large ribosomal subunit binds? Based on the wikipedia illustration cited above, I would expect that eIF4G falls off the RNA and so the lariat opens, recircularizing later for the next round of translation.

The sequence:

Linear mRNA
(PABP binds eIF4G)
Circular mRNA
(initiation complex scans for start codon)
Lariat mRNA
(large subunit of ribosome binds)
Linear mRNA

Thanks for any suggestions or pointers toward a clearer story!

- Jon