A New Perspective on the Adaptation and Proliferation Mechanism of Cancer Cells: Atypical kinase eEF-2K

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF-2K), also known as calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III, is a member of the group of atypical α-kinases. eEF-2K is an essential regulatory molecule in cellular protein synthesis. It can control the protein chain elongation rate by phosphorylating/inactivating eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2). The activity of eEF-2K is dependent on calcium ions and calmodulin and is extensively regulated by posttranslational phosphorylation. Recent data show that eEF-2K helps protect cancer cells against nutrient restriction and energy depletion. It also exerts a cytoprotective effect in many conditions, including oxidative stress and hypoxia. In light of the foregoing, eEF-2K may be a new potential pharmacological target for cancer therapy.