Invitrogen™ Human EIF2AK2 (PKR), GST Tag Recombinant Protein

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.