Guanylate Binding Protein 2, Interferon Inducible (GBP2)

Interferons are cytokines that have antiviral effects and inhibit tumor cell proliferation. They induce a large number of genes in their target cells, including those coding for the guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs). GBPs are characterized by their ability to specifically bind guanine nucleotides (GMP, GDP, and GTP). The protein encoded by this gene is a GTPase that converts GTP to GDP and GMP.Olszewski et al. (2006) found that GBP2 shares 76% amino acid identity with GBP3, but only 54% and 57% identity with GBP6 and GBP7, respectively. All GBPs, including GBP2, have a conserved N-terminal globular GTP-binding domain containing 2 consensus sequences and a third T(L/V)RD sequence not found in other GTPases. EST database analysis indicated wide expression of GBP2 in human tissues.