UMK2 Antibody

Overview of MK2 and Its Biological Role

MK2 is a stress-responsive kinase activated by p38 MAPK, involved in cytokine production, mRNA stability, and cytoskeletal reorganization . It regulates inflammatory responses and cancer progression by phosphorylating substrates like HSP27, TTP, and LIMK1 . MK2 knockout mice exhibit reduced tumor growth and inflammation, highlighting its therapeutic potential .

Key MK2 Antibodies and Their Applications

Multiple monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against MK2 are used in research:

Cancer and Inflammation

• MK2 inhibition reduced tumor growth in glioblastoma and prostate cancer models by disrupting HSP27-mediated cytoprotection .

• In lung cancer, N-acetyl GM2 ganglioside (detected by MK1-16 antibody) correlated with tumor differentiation .

Autoimmune Disease

• MK2-deficient mice showed resistance to blister formation in pemphigus vulgaris, linking MK2 to keratinocyte cytoskeletal integrity .

Therapeutic Targeting

• Preclinical studies demonstrated that MK2 inhibitors (e.g., CMPD1) synergize with chemotherapy to enhance cytotoxicity .

Validation and Technical Considerations

• Specificity: Antibodies like ab32567 and ab63378 distinguish between phosphorylated and total MK2, critical for studying activation states .

• Biomarker Potential: MK2 phosphorylation at Thr222/Thr334 serves as a surrogate marker for p38 pathway activity in cancer and inflammation .

Challenges and Future Directions

• Selectivity: Current MK2 inhibitors may off-target tubulin, necessitating antibody-based validation .

• Clinical Translation: Phase 0 trials for hK2-targeting antibodies (e.g., [¹¹¹In]-DOTA-h11B6) suggest a blueprint for MK2-directed therapies .