Biological Activity

The translation initiation factor eIF2 catalyzes the first regulated step of protein synthesis initiation, promoting the binding of the initiator tRNA to 40S ribosomal subunits. Binding occurs as a ternary complex of methionyl-tRNA, eIF2, and GTP. eIF2 is composed of 3 nonidentical subunits, alpha (36 kD), beta (38 kD), and gamma (52 kD). The rate of formation of the ternary complex is modulated by the phosphorylation state of eIF2-alpha.The translation initiation factor eIF2 catalyzes the first regulated step of protein synthesis initiation, promoting the binding of the initiator tRNA to 40S ribosomal subunits. Binding occurs as a ternary complex of methionyl-tRNA, eIF2, and GTP. eIF2 is composed of 3 nonidentical subunits, alpha (36 kD), beta (38 kD, MIM 603908), and gamma (52 kD, MIM 300161). The rate of formation of the ternary complex is modulated by the phosphorylation state of eIF2-alpha (Ernst et al., 1987).[supplied by OMIM].