The CBX2 antibody targets the Chromobox homolog 2 (CBX2) protein, a key component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) involved in epigenetic gene regulation. CBX2 facilitates PRC1-mediated transcriptional repression by binding to trimethylated lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3), a mark deposited by Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2). This interaction enables chromatin compaction and maintenance of silenced gene states, playing critical roles in cellular differentiation, development, and stem cell pluripotency.
CBX2 is particularly noted for its function in sex determination and gonadal development, as mutations or dysregulation are linked to 46.XY disorders of sexual development. It also contributes to cancer progression, with overexpression observed in prostate, ovarian, and other cancers, where it promotes proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance by silencing tumor suppressors.
Antibodies against CBX2 are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and molecular interactions. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Researchers rely on these antibodies to investigate CBX2's role in epigenetic mechanisms, developmental biology, and oncogenesis. Specificity and validation (e.g., knockout controls) are critical, as CBX2 shares homology with other Polycomb family members (CBX4. CBX6-8). Commercial antibodies often target unique epitopes to distinguish CBX2 isoforms or post-translational modifications, enabling precise analysis in diverse experimental contexts.