eIF2Bα (FL-305) Antibody: sc-98323

eIF2Bα Background Information
The initiation of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells is regulated by interactions between protein initiation factors and RNA molecules. The eukaryotic initiation complex eIF2B exists as a five subunit complex composed of eIF2Bå, eIF2B∫, eIF2B©, eIF2B∂ and eIF2Bε. The eIF2B complex catalyzes the exchange of GDP for GTP on the eIF2 complex, following the interaction of eIF2/GTP with the 40S ribosomal subunit. Guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity is exhibited by the eIF2Bε subunit alone, but is greater in the presence of all five eIF2B subunits. Phosphorylation of eIF2 inhibits GEF activity of eIF2B, an inhibition that requires the eIF2Bå subunit. Defects in the gene encoding eIF2Bå are a cause of leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM), a brain disease that is characterized by head trauma and motor deterioration.