Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein: Function & Research Use

Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein is a key research-grade tool for studying transcriptional corepression, G protein and MAPK pathway suppression, and mitochondrial quality control in human cell biology.

Product Name

Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein

SKU

rp372284

Gene Name

GPS2 (also known as KIAA0157)

Protein Function

Transcriptional corepressor; MAPK/JNK pathway suppressor; component of NCoR/SMRT complex

Biological Source

Human (Homo sapiens)

Format

Recombinant protein (expression system and tag details subject to datasheet; verify with Aladdin)

Primary Research Areas

Signal transduction, transcription regulation, mitochondrial biology, metabolic disease

What Is GPS2? Biological Background

G Protein Pathway Suppressor 2 (GPS2) is a multifunctional nuclear and mitochondria-associated protein encoded by the GPS2 gene in humans. It was originally identified as a suppressor of G protein- and Ras-mediated signaling pathways, particularly the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) branch of the MAPK cascade.

GPS2 is a core subunit of the Nuclear Receptor Corepressor (NCoR) and Silencing Mediator for Retinoid and Thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) transcriptional corepressor complexes. Through these complexes, GPS2 participates in regulating gene expression downstream of nuclear receptors involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and circadian rhythm control.

Beyond its nuclear functions, GPS2 has been implicated in mitochondrial quality control, particularly in the regulation of mitochondrial fusion and the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway at the outer mitochondrial membrane. This positions GPS2 at the intersection of transcription, signal transduction, and organelle homeostasis.

Key Functions and Signaling Roles

MAPK/JNK Pathway Suppression: GPS2 inhibits JNK activation, thereby modulating stress-response and inflammatory signaling. This activity is relevant to research into obesity, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where chronic JNK activation is a known pathological driver.

Transcriptional Corepression via NCoR/SMRT: As a stable component of the NCoR/SMRT–HDAC3 complex, GPS2 contributes to histone deacetylase-mediated transcriptional repression. It acts as a bridging factor that stabilizes the complex and mediates its interaction with DNA-bound nuclear receptors such as liver X receptors (LXRs), thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs).

Mitochondrial Quality Control: GPS2 has been reported to regulate ubiquitin signaling at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM), influencing mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics. It may antagonize the activity of certain E3 ubiquitin ligases at the OMM, thereby modulating mitochondrial protein turnover.

Adipogenesis and Metabolic Regulation: Studies in adipocytes have linked GPS2 to the regulation of adipogenesis and cholesterol efflux, positioning it as a potential target in metabolic disease research.

Research Applications of Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein

Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein (SKU: rp372284) from Aladdin Scientific is intended for use as a research reagent in a variety of in vitro and cell-free experimental formats. Representative applications include:

• Protein–Protein Interaction Studies: GPS2 can be used in pull-down assays, co-immunoprecipitation validation, or surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments to map its interactions within the NCoR/SMRT complex or with MAPK pathway components.
• Enzyme Activity Assays: GPS2 can serve as a component in reconstituted NCoR/SMRT–HDAC3 complex activity assays, where its bridging role may modulate HDAC3 deacetylase activity.
• Structural Biology: Recombinant GPS2 is suitable for use in X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM studies when co-crystallized or reconstituted with its binding partners.
• Antibody Validation: Purified recombinant GPS2 serves as a positive control antigen for validating anti-GPS2 antibodies by ELISA, Western blot, or dot-blot.
• Cell-Free Transcription Assays: GPS2 can be incorporated into cell-free systems to reconstitute NCoR/SMRT corepressor activity and study its regulation by nuclear receptor ligands.

Researchers should consult the product datasheet for verified application-specific conditions, optimal protein concentrations, and storage recommendations.

Storage, Handling, and Quality Considerations

Recombinant proteins require careful handling to preserve activity and integrity. While specific storage conditions for rp372284 should be confirmed on the official Aladdin Scientific product datasheet, general best practices for recombinant nuclear proteins include:

• Storage Temperature: Typically –70 °C or –80 °C for long-term storage; short-term storage at –20 °C may be acceptable depending on formulation.
• Avoid Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles: Aliquot the protein upon first thaw to minimize degradation and loss of activity.
• Carrier Protein: Many recombinant proteins are formulated with BSA or glycerol to maintain stability; verify the formulation from the datasheet before use in downstream assays.
• Purity Assessment: Confirm purity by SDS-PAGE prior to use in quantitative assays. Aladdin Scientific provides quality control data with each lot.
• Endotoxin Levels: For cell-based assays, confirm endotoxin levels are within acceptable limits to avoid confounding inflammatory responses.

Contact Aladdin Scientific technical support for lot-specific certificates of analysis (CoA), purity data, and application notes.

GPS2 in Disease Research: Emerging Perspectives

GPS2 has emerged as a protein of significant interest in several disease areas, making recombinant GPS2 a valuable tool for translational research:

Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: GPS2 expression levels in adipose tissue have been correlated with metabolic health parameters in human cohorts. Its role in suppressing JNK signaling and modulating NCoR complex activity in adipocytes places it at the center of research into diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Hepatic GPS2 activity has been investigated in the context of lipid accumulation and liver inflammation, conditions central to NAFLD pathogenesis.

Cancer: Alterations in GPS2 expression or function have been noted in certain cancer contexts, potentially linked to its role in regulating nuclear receptor-driven transcriptional programs and its anti-proliferative signaling functions. GPS2 has been proposed as a tumor suppressor candidate in some studies.

Mitochondrial Disease: GPS2's role at the outer mitochondrial membrane and its influence on ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation make it relevant to research on mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease.

Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein (rp372284) enables researchers to perform mechanistic in vitro studies that complement cell-based and in vivo models in these disease contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is GPS2 protein and why is it important in research?

GPS2 (G Protein Pathway Suppressor 2) is a multifunctional protein that acts as a transcriptional corepressor within the NCoR/SMRT complex and suppresses JNK/MAPK signaling. It is important in research because of its roles in metabolic regulation, adipogenesis, inflammation, mitochondrial quality control, and potential involvement in cancer and liver disease.

What applications is Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein (rp372284) suitable for?

Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein is suitable for protein–protein interaction studies (pull-down, SPR), antibody validation by Western blot or ELISA, reconstituted NCoR/SMRT–HDAC3 complex activity assays, cell-free transcription assays, and structural biology applications such as cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography. Always verify specific application compatibility on the product datasheet.

How should Recombinant Human GPS2 Protein be stored to maintain activity?

Recombinant proteins are generally stored at –70 °C to –80 °C for long-term stability, with repeated freeze–thaw cycles avoided by aliquoting upon first use. Specific storage buffer, concentration, and stability data for rp372284 should be confirmed on the Aladdin Scientific product datasheet or by contacting technical support.

Is GPS2 related to any human diseases?

Yes. GPS2 has been implicated in metabolic syndrome, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and has been proposed as a tumor suppressor candidate in certain cancers. Its role in mitochondrial quality control also links it to research on mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegenerative conditions. Recombinant GPS2 protein supports mechanistic in vitro studies in these disease contexts.

What quality control data does Aladdin Scientific provide for rp372284?

Aladdin Scientific provides lot-specific quality control data including purity assessment (typically by SDS-PAGE) and, where applicable, endotoxin testing and functional assay validation. For the most current and lot-specific certificate of analysis (CoA), please contact Aladdin Scientific technical support or refer to the product datasheet.

References

1. Sanyal S, et al. Involvement of corepressor complex subunit GPS2 in transcriptional pathways governing human bile acid biosynthesis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2007.
2. Jakobsson T, et al. GPS2 is required for cholesterol efflux by triggering histone demethylation, LXR recruitment, and coregulator assembly at the ABCG1 locus. Molecular Cell. 2009.
3. Cardamone MD, et al. A protective strategy against hyperinflammatory responses requiring the nontranscriptional actions of GPS2. Molecular Cell. 2012.
4. Cederquist CT, et al. Systemic insulin sensitivity is regulated by GPS2 inhibition of AKT ubiquitination and activation in adipose tissue. Molecular Metabolism. 2017.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.