GIMAP2 is a GTP-binding protein whose enzymatic behaviour depends on its partner. On its own, the GIMAP2 protein has no GTPase activity. When it forms a heterodimer with GIMAP7, however, the complex does show GTPase activity. This makes GIMAP2 an example of a GTPase that acts as part of a paired assembly and not as a stand-alone enzyme. UniProt lists its subcellular location as the lipid droplet.

The GIMAP2 gene encodes a member of the GTP-binding superfamily and of the immuno-associated nucleotide (IAN) subfamily of nucleotide-binding proteins. In UniProt, the protein belongs to the TRAFAC class TrmE-Era-EngA-EngB-Septin-like GTPase superfamily, within the AIG1/Toc34/Toc159-like paraseptin GTPase family. In humans, the IAN subfamily genes are arranged in a cluster at 7q36.1, so GIMAP2 sits alongside its close relatives in the genome.

The protein is catalogued by HGNC in the IMAP GTPase gene group as GTPase, IMAP family member 2. Alternative names found in the literature and databases include HIMAP2, IMAP2, IAN12 and DKFZp586D0824. Researchers studying GIMAP2 often examine it together with other IAN family members, such as GIMAP4, and with its heterodimer partner GIMAP7, to understand how these related GTPases function as a group.