The protein kinase R (PKR, also called EIF2AK2) is an interferon-inducible double-stranded RNA protein kinase with multiple effects on cells that plays an active part in the cellular response to numerous types of stress. PKR has been extensively studied and documented for its relevance as an antiviral agent and a cell growth regulator. Recently, the role of PKR related to metabolism, inflammatory processes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases has gained interest. In this review, we summarise and discuss the involvement of PKR in several cancer signalling pathways and the dual role that this kinase plays in cancer disease. We emphasise the importance of PKR as a molecular target for both conventional chemotherapeutics and emerging treatments based on novel drugs, and its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for several pathologies. Finally, we discuss the impact that the recent knowledge regarding PKR involvement in metabolism has in our understanding of the complex processes of cancer and metabolism pathologies, highlighting the translational research establishing the clinical and therapeutic potential of this pleiotropic kinase.

中文翻译：

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蛋白激酶 PKR 在癌症和代谢中的临床和治疗潜力

蛋白激酶 R (PKR，也称为 EIF2AK2) 是一种干扰素诱导型双链 RNA 蛋白激酶，对细胞具有多种作用，在细胞对多种压力的反应中发挥着积极作用。PKR 作为抗病毒剂和细胞生长调节剂的相关性已被广泛研究和记录。最近，与代谢、炎症过程、癌症和神经退行性疾病相关的 PKR 的作用引起了人们的兴趣。在这篇综述中，我们总结并讨论了 PKR 在几种癌症信号通路中的作用以及这种激酶在癌症疾病中的双重作用。我们强调 PKR 作为常规化疗药物和基于新药的新兴治疗的分子靶标的重要性，以及它作为多种病理学的生物标志物和治疗靶标的潜力。