Overview:

EIF2S1, also known as eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2, subunit 1 alpha, is a 35kDa protein in which The translation initiation factor EIF2 catalyzes the first regulated step of protein synthesis initiation and promotes the binding of the initiator tRNA to 40S ribosomal subunits. Binding occurs as a ternary complex of methionyl-tRNA, EIF2, and GTP (1). The Ser51 in the mature human EIF2-alpha protein acts as the sole site of phosphorylation that leads to repression of protein synthesis. EIF2-alpha also plays an essential role in erythropoiesis (2).

Gene Aliases:

EIF-2; EIF-2A; EIF-2alpha; EIF2; EIF2A

Genbank Number:

NM_004094

References:

1. Ernst, H. et.al: Cloning and sequencing of complementary DNAs encoding the alpha-subunit of translational initiation factor eIF-2: characterization of the protein and its messenger RNA. J. Biol. Chem. 262: 1206-1212, 1987.

2. Pathak, V. K.et.al: Generation of a mutant form of protein synthesis initiation factor eIF-2 lacking the site of phosphorylation by eIF-2 kinases. Molec. Cell. Biol. 8: 993-995, 1988.