The GCN2 (General Control Nonderepressible 2) antibody is a research tool targeting the GCN2 kinase, a critical enzyme in cellular stress response pathways. GCN2 is evolutionarily conserved and primarily activated under amino acid deprivation or other stress conditions. It phosphorylates eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), leading to integrated stress response (ISR) activation, which globally reduces protein synthesis while selectively promoting the translation of stress-responsive genes. This mechanism helps cells adapt to metabolic challenges, maintain homeostasis, and survive adverse conditions.
GCN2's role extends to immune regulation, cancer biology, and neurodegenerative diseases. In cancer, GCN2 activity can support tumor survival in nutrient-scarce microenvironments or influence anti-tumor immune responses. In immunology, it modulates T cell function and dendritic cell metabolism, impacting adaptive immunity. Dysregulation of GCN2 is also linked to neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, due to its effects on protein aggregation and neuronal stress.
Antibodies against GCN2 are used in Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation to study its expression, localization, and activation status in various experimental models. These tools aid in exploring GCN2’s therapeutic potential, as targeting its pathway may offer strategies for treating cancers, metabolic syndromes, or chronic inflammatory conditions. Research using GCN2 antibodies continues to uncover its multifaceted roles in health and disease.