PKR Proteins

Protein Information

EIF2AK2 (PKR) is one of 4 kinases that specifically phosphorylate Ser51 of translation initiation factor eIF2-alpha in response to various environmental stresses. EIF2AK2 plays a key role in antiviral defense mediated through its direct activation by double-stranded RNA produced by viral infection. PKR plays a key role in IFN induced-innate antiviral response, virus-induced apoptosis, cell growth & differentiation. PKR induces apoptosis by up-regulating Fas expression and mediates FADD/Caspase-8 death signaling pathway. Upon viral infection, it functions as a dual protein, sequentially activating both cell survival & cell death pathways using kinase independent and dependent strategies. PRKR regulates multiple pathways which include NF-kappaB activation, p53, p38, & PDGF signaling pathway. PKR has been implicated in tumor suppression & malignancy. To evade the antiviral effects of PKR, viruses have evolved multiple mechanisms, such as the inhibition of PKR by the non-structural protein (NS1) of the influenza virus. More recently, PKR has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer, Huntington, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Synonyms

2310047A08Rik; 4732414G15Rik; AI467567; AI747578; double stranded RNA activated protein kinase; dsRNA-activated kinase; EC 2.7.11.1; eIF-2 alpha; eIF2a Kinase; eIF-2A protein kinase 2; EIF2AK1; EIF2AK2; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-alpha kinase 2; IFN- type I-induced and dsRNA-activated kinase; IFN-induced and double-stranded RNA-activated kinase; interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase; interferon-inducible elF2alpha kinase; interferon-inducible RNA-dependent protein kinase; MGC126524; OTTHUMP00000201320; P1/eIF-2A protein kinase; p68 kinase; PKR; PPP1R83; Prkr; protein kinase R; protein kinase RNA-activated; protein kinase, interferon inducible double stranded RNA dependent; Protein kinase, interferon-inducible double stranded RNA dependent; protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 83; serine/threonine-protein kinase TIK; T-cell viral integration site; Tik; Tyrosine-protein kinase EIF2AK2