IGF2BP3 Products

IGF2BP3 Full Name

insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3

IGF2BP3 Introduction

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), historically known as IMP3 or KOC (K homology domain-containing protein overexpressed in cancer), is a conserved RNA-binding protein (RBP). It belongs to a family of oncofetal proteins, meaning it is abundantly expressed during embryogenesis to regulate development but is strictly silenced in most normal adult tissues. Structurally, IGF2BP3 contains two RNA-recognition motifs (RRMs) and four K-homology (KH) domains, which are essential for recognizing specific RNA sequences.

Functionally, IGF2BP3 acts as a post-transcriptional regulator that dictates the fate of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). It binds to the 3' untranslated regions (3'-UTRs) of target transcripts—including IGF2, MYC, and CD44—and stabilizes them, protecting them from degradation and facilitating their translation. A critical recent discovery is that IGF2BP3 functions as a "reader" of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications; it specifically recognizes methylated RNA, thereby enhancing the stability and expression of oncogenes in an m6A-dependent manner.

The clinical significance of IGF2BP3 lies in its dramatic re-expression in cancer, where it serves as a potent driver of metastasis and drug resistance. Because it is absent in normal adult cells but highly expressed in tumors, it is utilized as a diagnostic biomarker to distinguish malignant lesions from benign reactive processes. This is particularly valuable in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and renal cell carcinoma. Mechanistically, by stabilizing the mRNA of genes involved in cell migration (like HMGA2) and proliferation, IGF2BP3 fuels the aggressive behavior of cancer cells. Consequently, high levels of IGF2BP3 are consistently correlated with advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and significantly poor overall survival across multiple malignancies, including lung, colon, and ovarian cancers.

Figure 1. IGF2BP3 enhances indicated tumor cell properties by promoting the expression of indicated target genes by either preventing mRNA decay or stimulating mRNA translation. (Source: Lederer M, et al. 2014)

Alternate Names for IGF2BP3

IGF2BP3
insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3
KOC
CT98
IMP3
KOC1
IMP-3
VICKZ3
insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3
VICKZ family member 3

• IGF2BP3 Antibodies
• IGF2BP3 ELISA Kits

• 1. Lederer M, et al. The role of the oncofetal IGF2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol. 2014 Dec;29:3-12.
  2. Huang H, et al. Recognition of RNA N6-methyladenosine by IGF2BP proteins enhances mRNA stability and translation. Nat Cell Biol. 2018 Mar;20(3):285-295.