Abstract

Ras-GTPase-activating protein (SH3 domain)-binding proteins (G3BP) are RNA binding proteins that plays a critical role in stress granule (SG) formation. SGs protect critical mRNAs from various environmental stress conditions by regulating mRNA stability and translation to maintain regulated gene expression. Recent evidence suggests that G3BPs can also regulate mRNA expression through interactions with RNA outside of SGs. Several ongoing investigations have associated G3BPs with a number of disease states including cancer progression, invasion, metastasis, and viral infection and have highlighted its potential as a target for cancer therapeutic agents. In this review, we will summarize the various aspects of G3BP biology including their structure, function, localization, role in cancer progression, virus replication, mRNA stability, and stress granule formation. We will also discuss the potential of G3BPs as a therapeutic target.

Significance Statement In this present review, we will discuss the molecular mechanism(s) and functional role(s) of G3BP1 in the context of stress granule formation, interaction with viruses, stability of RNA, and tumorigenesis.