Large G3BP-formed granules may trigger eIF2α phosphorylation

Assembly of large stress granules is associated with the phosphorylation of eIF2α.

• Large G3BP-induced stress granules form before eIF2α phosphorylation occurs.
• Protein kinase R is identified as the main kinase responsible for eIF2α phosphorylation in response to large stress granules.
• The size of stress granules may represent a threshold that triggers eIF2α phosphorylation and subsequent translational repression.
• Stress granules could play an active role in signaling to the translational machinery.
• These findings may indicate that stress granules are important regulators of the innate immune response.

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