G protein-coupled receptor-associated sorting protein 2

G-protein coupled receptor-associated sorting protein 2 (GPRASP2, also known as GASP-2) is a cytoplasmic protein of 838 amino acids that may play a role in regulating the trafficking and function of various G-protein coupled receptors (UniProt: Q96D09). The protein's molecular mechanism involves modulation of GPCR signaling pathways, which are central to cellular communication and neurotransmission.

GPRASP2 is primarily associated with X-linked deafness (DFNX7, MIM 301018), a congenital hearing disorder that may be progressive and accompanied by ear anomalies and facial dysmorphism (UniProt: Q96D09). The protein's role in sensory systems suggests broader involvement in neuronal function, though tissue-specific expression patterns remain to be fully characterized.

In Alzheimer's disease, GPRASP2 is significantly downregulated in post-mortem AD brain tissue compared to age-matched controls, with a mean log2 fold-change of −0.52 across subcellular fractions (Chaparral AD proteomics). This reduction may reflect altered GPCR signaling capacity in AD pathology, potentially contributing to synaptic dysfunction or impaired neuronal communication. The consistent downregulation across fractions suggests a genuine loss of GPRASP2 in the AD brain rather than compartment-specific changes.