Rabbit Monoclonal CDKN2A/p16INK4a Antibody

The CDKN2A gene encodes the p16INK4a protein, a critical tumor suppressor that regulates the cell cycle by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6), thereby preventing phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and blocking G1/S phase progression. Loss of p16INK4a function, through mutations, deletions, or promoter hypermethylation, is a hallmark of various cancers, including melanoma, pancreatic, and lung cancers. Conversely, overexpression of p16INK4a is associated with cellular senescence and aging, serving as a biomarker for oncogene-induced senescence or stress-induced premature senescence. Antibodies targeting p16INK4a are widely used in research and diagnostics to detect protein expression via immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, or immunofluorescence. In clinical pathology, elevated p16INK4a levels are often linked to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in cervical and head/neck cancers, where viral E7 oncoprotein disrupts Rb function, leading to compensatory p16 upregulation. Thus, p16INK4a antibodies aid in diagnosing HPV-related neoplasms and distinguishing benign from malignant lesions. However, interpretation requires context, as non-neoplastic conditions (e.g., chronic inflammation) may also induce p16 expression. These antibodies remain vital tools for exploring cell cycle dynamics, senescence pathways, and cancer biology.