The GKN2 antibody is a tool used to detect gastrokine-2 (GKN2), a protein predominantly expressed in the gastric mucosa. GKN2. encoded by the *GKN2* gene, belongs to the gastrokine family, which plays critical roles in maintaining gastric mucosal integrity, regulating inflammation, and modulating cell proliferation. It is secreted by gastric epithelial cells and is involved in mucus formation, wound healing, and protection against acid-induced damage. Dysregulation of GKN2 has been linked to gastric pathologies, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Studies show that GKN2 expression is frequently downregulated in gastric tumors, suggesting its potential role as a tumor suppressor.
The GKN2 antibody enables researchers to study the protein's localization, expression levels, and interactions in both normal and diseased tissues. It is widely used in techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, and ELISA to explore GKN2's involvement in gastric carcinogenesis, its response to *Helicobacter pylori* infection, and its interplay with signaling pathways like NF-κB and MAPK. Commercial GKN2 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using peptide antigens derived from conserved regions of the human protein. Validation includes specificity tests using knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing.
Research utilizing GKN2 antibodies has highlighted its diagnostic and prognostic potential in gastric cancer, as well as its therapeutic relevance in mucosal repair. However, variability in antibody sensitivity and cross-reactivity remains a challenge, necessitating rigorous experimental optimization.