P05198

eIF2α also known as EIF2S1, EIF2 is a pivotal component of the eukaryotic initiation complex that regulates the initiation of protein synthesis. Located predominantly in the cytoplasm, eIF2α binds GTP and initiator methionyl-tRNA to form a ternary complex, which associates with the 40S ribosomal subunit to facilitate the assembly of the 80S ribosome. This process is essential for the accurate translation of mRNA into proteins. The phosphorylation state of eIF2α is a critical regulatory point. Unphosphorylated eIF2α promotes normal protein synthesis, while phosphorylation at Ser51 in response to cellular stress inhibits GDP/GTP exchange, leading to a reduction in global protein synthesis. This regulatory mechanism allows cells to adapt to stress conditions such as nutrient deprivation, viral infection, and endoplasmic reticulum stress by conserving resources and preventing the accumulation of misfolded proteins.