Question

Is Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2 active or inactive with the presence of a phosphate group?

1) Active
2) Inactive

Answer 1

Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2 (eIF2) is inactive when phosphorylated as it cannot bind GTP, which is necessary for the formation of the translation initiation complex.

Step-by-step explanation:

Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2 (eIF2) is inactive with the presence of a phosphate group. The translation initiation complex cannot properly form when eIF2 is phosphorylated because it undergoes a conformational change that prevents it from binding to the high-energy molecule guanosine triphosphate (GTP), thus impeding translation. When eIF2 remains unphosphorylated, it is able to bind GTP and assists in the formation of the initiation complex, allowing translation to proceed.