Activation of the dsRNA-Dependent Kinase

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent protein kinase, designated here as dsI, but also referred to as DAI, Pl kinase, p68 kinase and PI/eIF-2α protein kinase, is an interferon-induced serine/threonine protein kinase. It is uniquely distinguished from other protein kinases in that its activation to a functional enzyme, and in some cases prevention of its activation, is dependent on RNAs containing accessible double-stranded structures. However, like several other protein kinases, once activated, it elicits a modulating effect that alters cellular processes.