EIF2AK3, a member of the GCN2 subfamily of Ser/Thr protein kinases, phosphorylates the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation-initiation factor 2 (EIF2), leading to its inactivation and thus to a rapid reduction of translational initiation and repression of global protein synthesis. This protein serves as a critical effector of unfolded protein response (UPR)-induced G1 growth arrest due to the loss of cyclin D1. It is proposed that perturbation in protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) promotes reversible dissociation from HSPA5/BIP and oligomerization, resulting in transautophosphorylation and kinase activity induction Expression of this Type I membrane protein is ubiquitous, with a high level expression in secretory tissues. Defects in EIF2AK3 are the cause of Wolcott-Rallison syndrome (WRS), also known as multiple epiphyseal dysplasia with early-onset diabetes mellitus. WRS is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by permanent neonatal or early infancy insulin-dependent diabetes and, at a later age, epiphyseal dysplasia, osteoporosis, growth retardation and other multisystem manifestations, such as hepatic and renal dysfunctions, mental retardation and cardiovascular abnormalities.

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