Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2-Alpha Kinase 1 (EIF2AK1) Antibody – Rabbit

The protein encoded by this gene acts at the level of translation initiation to downregulate protein synthesis in response to stress. The encoded protein is a kinase that can be inactivated by hemin. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2008]

HRI: a protein kinase of the PEK family. Phosphorylates the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 in response to various stress conditions, inhibiting protein synthesis at the level of initiation. Its kinase activity is induced by low levels of heme and inhibited by the presence of heme. Binding of nitric oxide (NO) to the heme iron in the N-terminal heme-binding domain activates the kinase activity, while binding of carbon monoxide (CO) suppresses kinase activity. Requires association with a multiprotein complex containing Hsp90, CDC37 and PPP5C for maturation and activation by autophosporylation. Two alternatively spliced isoforms have been described.

Protein type: Translation; Protein kinase, Ser/Thr (non-receptor); Protein kinase, Other; EC 2.7.11.1; Kinase, protein; Other group; PEK family

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 7p22

Cellular Component: cytoplasm

Molecular Function: protein homodimerization activity; heme binding; ATP binding; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha kinase activity

Biological Process: response to external stimulus; negative regulation of cell proliferation; negative regulation of translational initiation by iron; protoporphyrinogen IX metabolic process; protein amino acid autophosphorylation; response to stress; negative regulation of hemoglobin biosynthetic process