The CDKN2A antibody targets proteins encoded by the CDKN2A gene, a critical tumor suppressor locus implicated in cell cycle regulation and cancer. This gene generates two distinct proteins through alternative splicing: p16INK4a and p14ARF (p19ARF in mice). p16INK4a inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4/6), blocking Rb protein phosphorylation and preventing cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. p14ARF stabilizes p53 by neutralizing MDM2. promoting cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Dysregulation of CDKN2A, often via deletion, mutation, or promoter hypermethylation, is frequently observed in cancers, including melanoma, pancreatic, and lung cancers.
CDKN2A antibodies are widely used in research and diagnostics to detect protein expression levels via techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, or flow cytometry. Loss of p16INK4a or p14ARF expression, detected using these antibodies, correlates with CDKN2A inactivation and tumor progression. Commercially available antibodies vary in specificity for p16INK4a or p14ARF due to shared exons and sequence homology. Validation is essential to ensure accurate detection, as off-target binding can lead to misinterpretation. These antibodies also aid in studying senescence, aging, and therapeutic responses, particularly in cancers treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors. However, challenges remain, including antibody cross-reactivity and tissue-specific epitope variability, necessitating careful experimental design and controls.