title: Translational control by eIF2α in neurons: Beyond the stress response.
abstract: The translation of mRNAs is a tightly controlled process that responds to multiple signaling pathways. In neurons, this control is also exerted locally due to the differential necessity of proteins in axons and dendrites. The phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of the translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) is one of the mechanisms of translational control. The phosphorylation of eIF2α has classically been viewed as a stress response, halting translation initiation. However, in the nervous system this type of regulation has been related to other mechanisms besides stress response, such as behavior, memory consolidation and nervous system development. Additionally, neurodegenerative diseases have a major stress component, thus eIF2α phosphorylation plays a preeminent role and its modulation is currently viewed as a new opportunity for therapeutic interventions. This review consolidates current information regarding eIF2α phosphorylation in neurons and its impact in neurodegenerative diseases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, 01508-010, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hermano Martins
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Bellato
authors.affiliation: International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, 01508-010, Brazil. ghajj@cipe.accamargo.org.br.
authors.forename: Glaucia Noeli Maroso
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Hajj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000069077:Memory Consolidation; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010442:Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2
keywords: eIF2α; mRNA translation; memory consolidation; neurodegenerative diseases; neuron