Overview:

EIF2AK2 (also known as double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase and PKR) is a protein kinase that is involved in HIV/gp120-associated neurodegeneration (1). EIF2AK2 is a mediator of gp120 neurotoxicity and is a substrate for a family of protein kinases involved in environmental stress responses. Activation of EIF2AK2 by dsRNA leads to autophosphorylation at Thr446/451. Activated EIF2AK2 phosphorylates the alpha subunit of EIF2, which in turn inhibits protein synthesis. EIF2AK2 plays a critical role in mRNA translation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Crosstalk between EIF2AKs and p53 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.