EIF2AK2 and colitis: However, in contrsast with the findings of Rath et al.,84 a subsequent study concluded that PKR protected animals from DSS-associated colitis.90 Furthermore, the upregulation of ATF5 is only one of many downstream effectors of PKR.91 It is, therefore, possible that these effectors have varied impacts that may explain the contrasting findings of PKR relative to ATF5.