IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 2 (IQGAP2)

IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 2 (IQGAP2) is a large, multidomain cytoplasmic scaffold protein predominantly expressed in the liver, but also found in other tissues including stomach, prostate, kidney, testis, and platelets[2][3]. It belongs to the IQGAP protein family, sharing homology with IQGAP1 and IQGAP3, and contains a calponin homology domain (actin-binding), a WW domain, IQ motifs (calmodulin binding), and a Ras-GAP-like domain[2][3][4][5]. IQGAP2 interacts with components of the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion molecules, and signaling proteins—including activated CDC42 and RAC1 GTPases—but does not stimulate their GTPase activity[3][4][5]. Instead, it modulates actin dynamics, signal transduction pathways (such as Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt), and contributes to cell morphology, adhesion, motility, and immune responses[1][2][5]. IQGAP2 has been shown to act as a tumor suppressor in the liver and several cancers and promotes inflammatory responses in some contexts, including colonic inflammation via TLR4/NF-κB signaling[1][2]. The protein is not currently a direct pharmacological target, though its pathway roles are of therapeutic interest in oncology and inflammation[1][2][5].

Other names

IQGAP2Ras GTPase-activating-like protein IQGAP2

null (no direct small-molecule mechanism of action described for this target; considered a scaffolding/signaling modulator by protein interaction rather than direct enzymatic or receptor activity)