KLLN antibody is a research tool targeting the KLLN protein, encoded by the *KLLN* gene located on chromosome 10q23.3. This locus is notable for housing the *PTEN* tumor suppressor gene, with *KLLN* situated adjacent to it. Discovered in 2008. KLLN (also termed "killin") shares a bidirectional promoter with *PTEN* but is transcribed in the opposite direction. KLLN functions as a p53-regulated DNA replication inhibitor, playing a role in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Its tumor-suppressive activity involves binding to replication origins to prevent unscheduled DNA synthesis, thereby maintaining genomic stability.
Dysregulation of KLLN, often due to promoter hypermethylation or genetic alterations, is implicated in various cancers, including breast, prostate, and endometrial carcinomas. Loss of KLLN expression correlates with tumor progression and poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as a biomarker. KLLN antibodies are primarily used in research to detect protein expression in tissues or cell lines, aiding studies on its interaction with PTEN, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic implications. These antibodies also help explore epigenetic silencing events in cancer and evaluate KLLN's role in chemosensitivity. Despite its functional overlap with PTEN, KLLN exhibits distinct molecular pathways, making it a unique target for understanding tumorigenesis and developing precision oncology strategies.