Lysine--tRNA ligase (KARS1)

Catalyzes the specific attachment of an amino acid to its cognate tRNA in a 2 step response: the amino acid (AA) is first activated by ATP to form AA-AMP and then transferred to the acceptor end of the tRNA (PubMed:9278442, PubMed:18029264, PubMed:18272479). When secreted, acts as a signaling molecule that induces immune response through the activation of monocyte/macrophages (PubMed:15851690).

Catalyzes the synthesis of this signaling molecule diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A), and thus mediates disturbance of the complex between HINT1 and MITF and the concomitant activation of MITF transcriptional activity (PubMed:5338216, PubMed:14975237, PubMed:19524539, PubMed:23159739). .