Overview:

EIF2AK2 (also known as double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase) is a protein kinase that has been shown to be involved in HIV/gp120-associated neurodegeneration (1). EIF2AK2 acts as a critical mediator of gp120 neurotoxicity and is a substrate for a family of protein kinases that respond to various forms of environmental stress. Activation of EIF2AK2 leads to its autophosphorylation and then phosphorylation of its natural substrate, the alpha subunit of eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor-2. EIF2AK2 plays a critical role in mRNA translation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. A novel cross-talk between the EIF2AKs and p53 has been shown that has implications in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis (2).

References:

1. Baltzis, D. et al: The eIF2alpha kinases PERK and PKR activate glycogen synthase kinase 3 to promote the proteasomal degradation of p53. J. Biol Chem. 2007; 282(43):31675-87.

2. Alirezaei, M. et al: Human immunodeficiency virus-1/surface glycoprotein 120 induces apoptosis through RNA-activated protein kinase signaling in neurons. J. Neurosci. 2007;27(41):11047-55.