eIF2α, or eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha, is a crucial component of the protein synthesis machinery. It plays a pivotal role in initiating the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. eIF2α is a part of the eIF2 complex, which also includes eIF2β and eIF2γ. The primary function of this complex is to deliver the initiator tRNA to the small ribosomal subunit.
