G3BP2 (F3Y7Z) Mouse mAb #86863

Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic mRNA-protein condensates formed in response to cellular stressors, such as oxidative stress, ultraviolet radiation, and viral infection (1). The Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding proteins (G3BPs), consisting of G3BP1 and G3BP2, are key nucleating factors essential for SG formation (2). As their name suggests, G3BPs were originally identified as proteins that interact with the SH3 domain of Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) (3). However, a recent study argues that G3BP1 may not be a genuine RasGAP-binding partner, suggesting that further studies are necessary to validate this function (4). Rather, G3BPs are well known to be involved in mRNA decay and inhibition of translation initiation (5,6). The SARS-CoV-2 virus has also been reported to target G3BPs via interaction between the viral N protein and the N-terminal domain of G3BP. This binding prevents G3BPs from interacting with other SG-associated proteins, therefore suppressing SG assembly and promoting viral replication (7). G3BP2, in particular, has also been reported to play a role in the initiation of breast tumor formation and affect the expression of PD-L1 in breast and glioblastoma cells under stress conditions (8,9).