The HIST2H4A(20Me) antibody is a specific immunological tool designed to detect histone H4 protein variants encoded by the HIST2H4A gene, particularly when methylated at the lysine 20 (K20) residue. Histone H4 is a core component of nucleosomes, playing a critical role in chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as methylation at H4K20 are essential for diverse cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, DNA repair, and chromosome condensation. The HIST2H4A gene, part of the histone cluster on chromosome 1. produces one of several H4 isoforms, with subtle functional or regulatory differences potentially influencing cellular dynamics.
Methylation at H4K20 exists in mono- (me1), di- (me2), or tri-methylated (me3) states, each associated with distinct biological contexts. For example, H4K20me1 is linked to active transcription, while H4K20me3 is enriched in heterochromatin and implicated in genomic stability. The HIST2H4A(20Me) antibody is typically used to study the spatial and temporal distribution of this modification, aiding in research on cell cycle regulation, cancer biology (where aberrant H4K20 methylation is observed), and developmental epigenetics. Its specificity makes it valuable in techniques like ChIP-seq, immunofluorescence, or Western blotting to dissect chromatin states or identify dysregulated epigenetic pathways in disease models. Validation of this antibody often includes peptide competition assays to confirm target selectivity.