Studies have found that by activating the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells, the expression of stem cell markers, such as leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) and olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4), is decreased and translation inhibition is induced by phosphorylated eIF2α, which can lead to cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. The gene discussed is EIF2A; the disease is colorectal cancer.