EEF2K

Description

The EEF2K (eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 16.

Eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2 kinase or eEF-2K), also known as calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III (CAMKIII) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the EEF2K gene. eEF-2 kinase is a highly conserved protein kinase involved in the calmodulin-mediated signaling pathway, connecting various upstream signals to the regulation of protein synthesis. It phosphorylates eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2), thereby inhibiting its function. The activity of eEF-2K is dependent on calcium and calmodulin. Activation occurs in two steps: First, calcium-calmodulin binds to the kinase domain, activating it and triggering rapid autophosphorylation of Thr-348. Second, autophosphorylation of Thr-348 induces a conformational change in the kinase, likely facilitated by the binding of phospho-Thr-348 to an allosteric phosphate binding pocket in the kinase domain. This increases the activity of eEF-2K against its substrate, elongation factor 2. eEF-2K can also gain calcium-independent activity through autophosphorylation of Ser-500. However, calmodulin must remain bound for sustained activity.

EEF2K is also known as CaMKIII, HSU93850, eEF-2K.

Associated Diseases

• thyroid gland adenocarcinoma
• endometrial cancer
• major depressive disorder
• cancer
• permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus-pancreatic and cerebellar agenesis syndrome
• Perrault syndrome
• isolated congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
• 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis
• 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development
• 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis-motor and sensory neuropathy syndrome
• familial hyperprolactinemia
• double uterus-hemivagina-renal agenesis syndrome