Enables double-stranded RNA binding activity and protein kinase activity. Involved in several processes, including negative regulation of viral genome replication; positive regulation of intracellular signal transduction; and regulation of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation. Acts upstream of or within cellular protein metabolic process; endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response; and negative regulation of apoptotic process. Predicted to be located in nucleus and perinuclear region of cytoplasm. Predicted to be active in cytosol. Is expressed in several structures, including genitourinary system; heart; liver; lung; and spleen. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Alzheimer's disease; Huntington's disease; Parkinson's disease; and hepatitis B. Orthologous to human EIF2AK2 (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]