EEF2K

This gene encodes a highly conserved protein kinase in the calmodulin-mediated signaling pathway that links activation of cell surface receptors to cell division. This kinase is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis. It phosphorylates eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2) and thus inhibits the EEF2 function. The activity of this kinase is increased in many cancers and may be a valid target for anti-cancer treatment. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

EEF2K

Research Area

Threonine kinase that regulates protein synthesis by controlling the rate of peptide chain elongation. Upon activation by a variety of upstream kinases including AMPK or TRPM7, phosphorylates the elongation factor EEF2 at a single site, renders it unable to bind ribosomes and thus inactive. In turn, the rate of protein synthesis is reduced.

Biological Process

Cellular response to anoxia Source: Ensembl
Cellular response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulus Source: Ensembl
Cellular response to calcium ion Source: Ensembl
Cellular response to cAMP Source: Ensembl
Cellular response to insulin stimulus Source: Ensembl
Negative regulation of apoptotic process Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of dendritic spine morphogenesis Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of endocytosis Source: Ensembl
Positive regulation of synapse assembly Source: Ensembl
Protein autophosphorylation Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of protein autophosphorylation Source: Ensembl
Response to ischemia Source: Ensembl
Response to prolactin Source: Ensembl
Translational elongation Source: ProtInc

Cellular Location

Cytosol; Cytoplasm; Dendritic spine; Postsynaptic density

PTM

Autophosphorylated at multiple residues, Thr-348 being the major site. Phosphorylated by AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK at Ser-398 leading to EEF2K activation and protein synthesis inhibition. Phosphorylated by TRPM7 at Ser-78 resulting in improved protein stability, higher EE2F phosphorylated and subsequently reduced rate of protein synthesis. Phosphorylation by other kinases such as CDK1 and MAPK13 at Ser-359 or RPS6KA1 and RPS6KB1 at Ser-366 instead decrease EEF2K activity and promote protein synthesis.