Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 3.2)
Exhibits eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha kinase activity and identical protein binding activity. Involved in several processes, including animal organ development; regulation of apoptotic process; and regulation of cellular macromolecule biosynthetic process. Localizes to endoplasmic reticulum and endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Is expressed in heart; lens fiber; lens vesicle; liver; and pancreas tip epithelium. Used to study Wolcott-Rallison syndrome. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Wolcott-Rallison syndrome and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Orthologous to human EIF2AK3 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3).