The KIF4A antibody is a tool used to detect kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A), a microtubule-associated motor protein belonging to the kinesin-4 subfamily. KIF4A plays critical roles in mitotic processes, including spindle assembly, chromosome condensation, and segregation during cell division. It interacts with chromosomal passenger complexes and regulates the spatial organization of chromosomes. Structurally, KIF4A contains an N-terminal motor domain for ATP-dependent microtubule movement and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain mediating protein-protein interactions.
Research highlights KIF4A's dual functionality: it stabilizes chromatin architecture during metaphase and facilitates chromosome "individualization" in anaphase. Dysregulation of KIF4A is linked to genomic instability and carcinogenesis. Overexpression has been observed in various cancers (e.g., breast, lung, gastric), correlating with poor prognosis, tumor progression, and chemoresistance. Conversely, reduced expression impairs cell division, leading to mitotic errors.
KIF4A antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to study its expression patterns, subcellular localization, and interactions with partners like Survivin and Aurora B kinase. These studies contribute to understanding cell cycle regulation, cancer mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets. Recent investigations also explore its non-mitotic roles in DNA repair and postmitotic neuronal development. Commercial KIF4A antibodies are typically validated for specificity across human, mouse, and rat samples.