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25 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 15 days ago
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EIF4G2
eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 2
Chromosome 11 · 11p15.4
NCBI Gene: 1982Ensembl: ENSG00000110321.19HGNC: HGNC:3297UniProt: P78344
205PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Highly Constrained
RESEARCH IMPACT
Trending
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
adherens junctioneukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F complextranslation initiation factor activityprotein bindingneurodegenerative diseasedengue diseasealcohol drinkingneoplasm
✦AI Summary

EIF4G2 is a non-canonical eukaryotic translation initiation factor that facilitates cap-independent protein synthesis through multiple mechanisms. Unlike its homologue eIF4G1, EIF4G2 lacks eIF4E-binding sites and functions primarily in IRES-mediated translation 1. EIF4G2 plays crucial roles in translating upstream open reading frames (uORFs), promoting both leaky scanning and reinitiation mechanisms that enable downstream ORF translation 2. Additionally, EIF4G2 mediates m6A-driven translation of circular RNAs, working in conjunction with the m6A reader YTHDF3 to initiate protein synthesis from these non-canonical substrates 34. In neurons, EIF4G2 undergoes phosphorylation and recruitment to regulate activity-dependent dendritic translation of uORF-containing mRNAs involved in synaptic plasticity 5. Disease relevance includes cancer progression: EIF4G2 overexpression is associated with tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer through selective translation of MCL1 mRNA 6, and elevated EIF4G2 enables colorectal cancer liver metastasis via m6A-mediated circ-YAP translation 4. Osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion depend on EIF4G2, as miR-379-mediated EIF4G2 downregulation reduces these malignant phenotypes 7. Clinically, engineered circRNA-LNP therapeutics targeting EIF4G2+ cancers show promise in preventing adenocarcinoma development 8. These findings establish EIF4G2 as a multifunctional regulator of translation with significant implications for cancer biology and therapeutic development.

Sources cited
1
EIF4G2 is required for m6A-driven translation initiation of circular RNAs
PMID: 28281539
2
EIF4G2 is a therapeutic target in cancer cells; engineered circRNA-LNPs targeting EIF4G2+ tumors inhibit adenocarcinoma growth
PMID: 37845485
3
ERα mediates eIF4G2 mRNA translation, facilitating breast cancer survival and tamoxifen resistance
PMID: 34559986
4
EIF4G2 is required for m6A-mediated circ-YAP translation in colorectal cancer liver metastasis
PMID: 38087322
5
EIF4G2 enhances both leaky scanning and reinitiation on uORF-containing mRNAs
PMID: 38138978
6
Neuronal depolarization recruits phosphorylated eIF4G2 to regulate activity-dependent uORF translation in dendrites
PMID: 38589584
7
miR-379 targets EIF4G2 to inhibit osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion
PMID: 28381518
8
EIF4G2 is a key factor for IRES-mediated cap-independent translation and supports diverse translation initiation pathways
PMID: 36547008
Disease Associationsⓘ20
neurodegenerative diseaseOpen Targets
0.54Moderate
dengue diseaseOpen Targets
0.37Weak
alcohol drinkingOpen Targets
0.28Weak
neoplasmOpen Targets
0.10Suggestive
cancerOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
hepatocellular carcinomaOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
gastric cancerOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
rhabdomyolysisOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
amyotrophic lateral sclerosisOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
triple-negative breast cancerOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
breast cancerOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
ovarian cancerOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
Meniere diseaseOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
lung cancerOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
MODYOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
scoliosisOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
multiple myelomaOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
infectionOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
male reproductive organ cancerOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
acute promyelocytic leukemiaOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
EIF3BProtein interaction100%EIF2S1Protein interaction100%EIF3JProtein interaction100%EIF4A3Protein interaction98%EIF4E2Protein interaction95%MKNK1Protein interaction92%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Bone Marrow
100%
Heart
95%
Brain
58%
Lung
52%
Ovary
38%
Liver
33%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
EIF4G2EIF3BEIF2S1EIF3JEIF4A3EIF4E2MKNK1
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB9JJ7 · 1.80 Å · X-ray
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
0.12Highly Constrained
pLIⓘ
1.00Intolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.07 [0.04–0.12]
RankingsWhere EIF4G2 stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #2,041of 20,598
    Most Researched205 · top 10%
  • #103of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)0.12 · top 1%
Genes detectedEIF4G2
Sources retrieved25 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
25▼
1
Extensive translation of circular RNAs driven by N
PMID: 28281539
Cell Res · 2017
1.00
2
An in vitro-transcribed circular RNA targets the mitochondrial inner membrane cardiolipin to ablate EIF4G2
PMID: 37845485
Nat Cancer · 2024
0.90
3
ERα is an RNA-binding protein sustaining tumor cell survival and drug resistance.
PMID: 34559986
Cell · 2021
0.80
4
A positive feedback circuit driven by m
PMID: 38087322
Mol Cancer · 2023
0.70
5
Targeting eEF1A reprograms translation and uncovers broad-spectrum antivirals against cap or m
PMID: 39920115
Nat Commun · 2025
0.68