NCBI Summary:
EIF2AK4 belongs to a family of kinases that phosphorylate the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (EIF2S1; MIM 603907) to downregulate protein synthesis in response to varied cellular stresses (Berlanga et al., 1999 [PubMed 10504407]).[supplied by OMIM]
General function
Apoptosis, Enzyme
Comment
Cellular localization
Cytoplasmic
Comment
Ovarian function
Oocyte maturation
Comment
GCN2 activation and eIF2alpha phosphorylation in the maturation of mouse oocytes. Alves VS et al. GCN2 is one of the four mammalian kinases that phosphorylate the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2alpha) in a variety of stress situations, resulting in translation inhibition. GCN2 is involved in regulating metabolism, feeding behavior and memory in rodents. We show here that, relative to other cells, the beta isoform of the Gcn2 transcript and the GCN2 protein are highly abundant in unfertilized mouse eggs. In addition, GCN2 in these cells is active, resulting in elevated levels of phosphorylated eIF2alpha. After fertilization, eIF2alpha phosphorylation decreases drastically. These results suggest that GCN2 mediated translational control may contribute to regulatory mechanisms operating during oocyte maturation.