The CENPT antibody is a research tool designed to target centromere protein T (CENPT), a critical component of the constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN) in eukaryotic cells. CENPT is essential for kinetochore assembly and chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. It interacts with other centromeric proteins, such as CENPA (the centromere-specific histone H3 variant), to stabilize the connection between spindle microtubules and chromosomes, ensuring accurate genome distribution to daughter cells. Dysregulation of CENPT is linked to chromosomal instability, a hallmark of cancer and genetic disorders.
CENPT antibodies are widely used in molecular and cell biology to study centromere architecture, cell cycle regulation, and mechanisms underlying aneuploidy. They enable techniques like immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to visualize CENPT localization, quantify expression levels, or map its binding sites on DNA. These antibodies have also facilitated investigations into diseases associated with centromere dysfunction, including certain cancers and developmental syndromes.
Most commercial CENPT antibodies are raised against conserved epitopes in humans or model organisms (e.g., mice), ensuring cross-species reactivity. Validation typically includes knockout cell line controls to confirm specificity. Researchers rely on these antibodies to unravel the molecular pathways governing genomic fidelity, offering insights into therapeutic strategies targeting cell division errors.