The PAGE2 (P antigen family member 2) antibody is a tool used to study the PAGE2 protein, a member of the cancer/testis antigen (CTA) family. CTAs are proteins typically expressed in germ cells (e.g., testes) but silenced in most somatic tissues. Their aberrant re-expression in various cancers, including prostate cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer, has linked them to tumorigenesis and immune evasion. PAGE2. encoded by the *PAGE2* gene on the X chromosome, shares structural homology with other GAGE/PAGE family members, characterized by conserved glycine-rich regions and putative roles in protein-protein interactions.
Research using PAGE2 antibodies focuses on elucidating its biological function, which remains poorly understood. Studies suggest PAGE2 may regulate transcription, cell proliferation, or apoptosis, potentially influencing cancer progression. Its restricted expression in healthy tissues and reactivation in tumors make it a candidate biomarker for cancer diagnosis or immunotherapy targets. PAGE2 antibodies are employed in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) to detect protein expression patterns in clinical samples or cell lines.
Despite its potential, PAGE2's exact mechanisms and clinical relevance require further exploration. Antibody specificity remains critical due to high sequence similarity among PAGE/GAGE family members. Current efforts aim to validate PAGE2's role in oncogenesis and its utility in liquid biopsies or therapeutic strategies, emphasizing its dual significance in basic and translational cancer research.