 Without the GEF, eIF2 can no longer be returned to its active (GTP-bound) state.As a consequence, translation comes to a halt since initiation is no longer possible without any available ternary complex.Furthermore, low concentration of ternary complex allows the expression of GCN4 (starved condition), which, in turn, results in increased activation of amino acid synthesis genes

Since eIF2 is essential for most forms of translation initiation and therefore protein synthesis, defects in eIF2 are often lethal.