EIF2AK2 and infection: Early activation of PKR upon HCV infection (12–15 hrs post-infection) allows this virus to limit the expression of IFN and pro-inflammatory cytokines as soon as possible, before enough NS3/4A is translated from the HCV IRES to block this signaling pathway through MAVS cleavage (18 to 24 hrs post-infection) (see model in Figure 10).