**Background of CPD Antibodies**
Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD)-specific antibodies are critical tools in studying UV-induced DNA damage. CPDs form when adjacent pyrimidine bases (e.g., thymine or cytosine) in DNA absorb ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, creating covalent bonds that distort the DNA helix. This lesion disrupts replication and transcription, contributing to mutagenesis and skin carcinogenesis.
CPD antibodies, such as the widely used monoclonal clone TDM-2. enable precise detection and quantification of these lesions. Developed through immunization with CPD-containing DNA or synthetic analogs, these antibodies bind specifically to the cyclobutane ring structure, allowing visualization via techniques like immunofluorescence, ELISA, or immunohistochemistry. Their applications span evaluating DNA repair mechanisms (e.g., nucleotide excision repair or photolyase activity), assessing UV damage in skin models, and investigating associations between CPD accumulation and diseases like melanoma.
Research leveraging CPD antibodies has advanced understanding of photodamage kinetics, sunscreen efficacy, and genetic disorders with defective repair pathways (e.g., xeroderma pigmentosum). Recent studies also explore CPDs' role in aging and inflammation. However, cross-reactivity with non-CPD structures and variability in lesion accessibility require careful experimental controls. Overall, CPD antibodies remain indispensable for elucidating UV-induced DNA damage biology and developing therapeutic strategies.