Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2 Alpha Kinase GCN2 (GCN2)

GCN2 (General Control Nonderepressible 2) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase that plays a central role in the cellular response to amino acid deprivation and other forms of metabolic stress. It senses amino acid deficiency by binding to uncharged transfer RNAs (tRNAs), which accumulate when amino acids are scarce. Upon activation, GCN2 phosphorylates the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) at Ser51. This phosphorylation event represses general protein synthesis but selectively allows translation of specific mRNAs involved in stress adaptation.

Other names

EIF2AK4KIAA1338

Phosphorylation of eIF2α at Ser51, leading to repression of global protein synthesis and selective translation of stress-related mRNAs.