Tfap2a Antibody

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Description

Definition and Function of TFAP2A Antibodies

TFAP2A antibodies are laboratory-generated proteins that bind specifically to the TFAP2A transcription factor, which regulates genes involved in cell differentiation, craniofacial development, and cancer progression . These antibodies are used to visualize TFAP2A in experimental techniques such as:

  • Western blotting (WB)

  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

  • Immunofluorescence (IF/ICC)

  • Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Their utility extends to both basic research (e.g., studying developmental biology) and clinical investigations (e.g., cancer biomarker analysis) .

Cancer Biology

  • Cervical Cancer: TFAP2A is overexpressed in cervical squamous carcinoma, where its knockdown suppresses tumor cell proliferation and invasion . Antibodies like ab108311 were instrumental in validating these findings via WB and IHC .

  • Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD): High TFAP2A levels correlate with poor prognosis and metastasis. Studies using TFAP2A antibodies demonstrated its role in promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) via PSG9/TGF-β signaling .

  • Gallbladder Cancer: TFAP2A inhibition reduces tumor aggressiveness, as shown through antibody-based assays .

Developmental Biology

TFAP2A knockout mice exhibit severe craniofacial defects and neural tube abnormalities. Antibodies such as 3B5 have been used to map TFAP2A expression in embryonic tissues, confirming its role in neural crest cell migration .

Validation and Specificity Data

  • Knockout Validation: Abcam’s ab108311 was validated using TFAP2A-knockout HeLa cells, showing no cross-reactivity with other proteins .

  • Multi-Species Reactivity: Proteintech’s 67076-1-Ig detects TFAP2A in human, mouse, and rat samples, making it suitable for cross-species studies .

  • Epitope Mapping: The 3B5 antibody targets the DNA-binding domain (a.a. 166–197), critical for studying TFAP2A’s transcriptional activity .

Clinical Implications

  • Diagnostic Potential: TFAP2A expression in LUAD and cervical cancer tissues, detected via IHC, serves as a prognostic marker for metastasis and survival .

  • Therapeutic Targets: Antibody-based studies identified TFAP2A-regulated pathways (e.g., PSG9/TGF-β) as potential targets for anti-metastatic therapies .

Limitations and Challenges

  • Dual Role in Cancer: TFAP2A acts as an oncogene in some cancers (e.g., LUAD) but as a tumor suppressor in others (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma), complicating therapeutic strategies .

  • Antibody Variability: Differences in epitope recognition between clones (e.g., 3B5 vs. 13019-3-AP) may affect experimental reproducibility .

Future Directions

  • Mechanistic Studies: Advanced techniques like single-cell sequencing combined with TFAP2A antibodies could unravel cell-type-specific regulatory networks.

  • Clinical Trials: Antibodies may facilitate TFAP2A-targeted drug delivery or biomarker panels for precision oncology.

Product Specs

Buffer
Preservative: 0.03% Proclin 300
Constituents: 50% Glycerol, 0.01M PBS, pH 7.4
Form
Liquid
Lead Time
Made-to-order (12-14 weeks)
Synonyms
Tfap2a antibody; Ap2tf antibody; Tcfap2aTranscription factor AP-2-alpha antibody; AP2-alpha antibody; AP-2 transcription factor antibody; Activating enhancer-binding protein 2-alpha antibody; Activator protein 2 antibody; AP-2 antibody
Target Names
Tfap2a
Uniprot No.

Target Background

Function
TFAP2A, also known as Activator Protein 2 alpha (AP-2α), is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein. It interacts with inducible viral and cellular enhancer elements to regulate the transcription of selected genes. AP-2 factors bind to the consensus sequence 5'-GCCNNNGGC-3' and activate genes involved in a wide range of critical biological functions, including proper development of the eye, face, body wall, limbs, and neural tube. They also suppress the expression of several genes, including MCAM/MUC18, C/EBP alpha, and MYC. AP-2α is the only AP-2 protein required for early morphogenesis of the lens vesicle. In conjunction with the CITED2 coactivator, AP-2α stimulates the PITX2 P1 promoter transcription activation. It associates with chromatin at the PITX2 P1 promoter region.
Gene References Into Functions
  1. AP2gamma is found in a subset of hippocampal transient amplifying progenitors. There, it acts as a positive regulator of the cell fate determinants Tbr2 and NeuroD, promoting proliferation and differentiation of new glutamatergic granular neurons. Conditional ablation of AP2gamma in the adult brain reduced hippocampal neurogenesis and disrupted coherence between the ventral hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. PMID: 27777416
  2. These findings highlight the crucial role of AP-2 genes in mammalian neural crest development, influencing the patterning of the craniofacial skeleton. PMID: 29229773
  3. RNA interference of transcriptional factor activator protein 2alpha (AP-2alpha) reversed the inhibitory effects of aspirin on atherosclerosis in Apoe-/- mice. PMID: 27391154
  4. A systematic study examined the expression profile of the AP-2 family in the developing mouse and chick spinal cord and found that AP-2alpha and AP-2beta are specifically expressed in post-mitotic dorsal interneurons. Subsequent functional assessment in chick embryos demonstrated that AP-2alpha and AP-2beta have distinct functions in dorsal interneuron specification and differentiation. PMID: 27984181
  5. MEX3C associates with the endolysosomal compartment through an endocytosis-like process. siRNA-mediated inhibition of the MEX3C or AP-2 complex significantly decreased exosomal but not cellular microRNA miR-451a expression. PMID: 28982131
  6. Elevated AP-2 alpha phosphorylation is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm. PMID: 28179583
  7. Overexpression of Dnmt3a partially rescued the impairment of adipogenesis induced by AP2alpha knockdown. PMID: 27906176
  8. Data show that TFAP2A binds many of the same regulatory elements as MITF in melanocytes. PMID: 28249010
  9. TFAP2A is a conserved component of the core network that regulates EMT, acting as a repressor of many genes, including ZEB2. PMID: 28412966
  10. The AP-2beta transcription factor is a critical effector of PITX2 function during corneal development, required for the differentiation of corneal endothelium and the establishment of angiogenic privilege. PMID: 26968737
  11. The regulation of synaptic-vesicle (SV) recycling via early endosomes by the interdependent regulation of AP-2-mediated endocytosis and AP-1/sigma1B-mediated SV reformation, is reported. PMID: 25128028
  12. The Tfap2a and Tfap2b transcription factors were identified as two major downstream effectors of Ptf1a. PMID: 25966682
  13. Tfap2a-dependent changes in mouse facial morphology result in clefting that can be ameliorated by a reduction in Fgf8 gene dosage. PMID: 25381013
  14. By gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches, ap2a and 2b were identified as the major downstream targets of Ptf1a to specify the amacrine cell fate. PMID: 25966682
  15. Results suggested that RNF20 may play roles in adipocyte differentiation by stimulating ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of AP-2alpha. PMID: 24374663
  16. N-terminal peptide sequencing indicates the use of a downstream start codon in the human ortholog of AP-2. PMID: 3063603
  17. A conserved N-terminus is observed for alpha, beta, gamma, and epsilon members of this gene family. PMID: 14572467
  18. AP-2alpha defines epididymis-specific androgen receptor recruitment. It is constitutively bound to chromatin and guides AR to specific genomic loci upon hormone exposure. PMID: 24451200
  19. Nonsyndromic cleft palate in an animal model is associated with disruption of the Ap2beta1 gene. PMID: 20500056
  20. Our data indicate that miR-17-92 modulates the expression of critical T-box transcriptional regulators during midface development and is itself a target of Bmp-signaling and the craniofacial pioneer factor AP-2alpha. PMID: 24068957
  21. Critical roles for AP-2 activity in retinogenesis, delineating the overlapping expression patterns of Tcfap2a, Tcfap2b, and Tcfap2c in the neural retina, and revealing a redundant requirement for Tcfap2a and Tcfap2b in horizontal and amacrine cell development. PMID: 22411557
  22. Tcfap2a is proposed as a candidate genetic regulator of the level of voluntary physical activity through its influence on a dopaminergic pathway. PMID: 21978078
  23. While AP-2alpha/beta transcription factors are not intrinsically required for the onset or maintenance of noradrenergic differentiation, their essential survival functions are demonstrated for sympathetic progenitors and noradrenergic neurons. PMID: 21539825
  24. AP-2alpha knockout mice exhibit optic cup patterning defects and failure of optic stalk morphogenesis. PMID: 20150232
  25. Expression of AP-2alpha transcription factors in breast cancer cells supports proliferation and contributes to chemo- and radiation-resistance of tumor cells by impairing their ability to induce apoptosis. PMID: 20459791
  26. Downregulation of repressive isoforms during adipocyte differentiation. PMID: 11688971
  27. Requirement for AP-2alpha in cardiac outflow tract morphogenesis. PMID: 11744375
  28. The results support a role of AP-2alpha in the etiology of exencephalic disorders. PMID: 11967920
  29. Ectopic expression in the lens disrupts fiber cell differentiation. PMID: 11969252
  30. AP-2alpha modulates human corticotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in the placenta by direct protein-protein interaction. PMID: 12062896
  31. Interactions among TFAP2A, CITED2, and p300/CBP are necessary for TFAP2A-mediated transcriptional activation and for normal neural tube and cardiac development. PMID: 12586840
  32. A role for the AP-2 proteins in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of mammary gland epithelial cells. PMID: 12654297
  33. AP-2alpha upregulation in both epithelial and mesenchymal hair follicle compartments was coordinated with the initiation of major remodeling processes. PMID: 12839558
  34. Evidence suggests that AP-2alpha is a negative regulator of chondrocyte differentiation. PMID: 14969394
  35. A role in appropriate postnatal craniofacial morphogenesis. PMID: 14975718
  36. AP-2alpha directs important aspects of neural crest cell function. PMID: 14975722
  37. AP-2alpha is required for signaling from the surface ectoderm to the underlying mesoderm for proper development and closure of the ventral body wall. PMID: 15013802
  38. Missense mutation leads to misshapen middle ear bones. Homozygotes die perinatally, exhibiting prominent abnormal facial structures. PMID: 15181535
  39. Findings unveil a repressive role for AP-2alpha in governing EGFR gene transcription as epidermal cells exit the basal layer and withdraw from the cell cycle. PMID: 16449191
  40. Colocalization of Pax6 and AP-2alpha was primarily observed in the proliferating central lens epithelium, the same region in which the lens stalk phenotype was observed in the double heterozygous Pax6(+/lacZ)/AP-2alpha(+/-) eyes. PMID: 17679940
  41. These data demonstrate that, while AP-2alpha alone does not play an intrinsic role in retinogenesis, it has non-cell-autonomous effects on optic cup development. PMID: 17724084
  42. A major role for this enhancer resides within the limb bud, and it serves to maintain a level of Tcfap2a expression that limits the size of the hand plate and the associated number of digit primordia. PMID: 17984226
  43. Findings presented in this study clearly demonstrate that AP-2 has cell-autonomous roles in lens vesicle separation and the maintenance of the lens epithelial cell phenotype. PMID: 18224708
  44. PKC beta II upregulates TTP expression in activated macrophages. This regulation is mediated through the activation of transcription factor AP-2, and serves as an additional mechanism by which PKC beta regulates the inflammatory process. PMID: 18594783
  45. AP-2alpha and AP-2gamma, in concert with Notch, play an essential role in the terminal differentiation of the skin epidermis in mice. PMID: 18824566
  46. These findings place IRF6 and AP-2alpha in the same developmental pathway and identify a high-frequency variant in a regulatory element contributing substantially to a common, complex disorder. PMID: 18836445
  47. These studies support a tumor suppressor role for AP-2alpha in the gastrointestinal tract. PMID: 19376641
  48. AP-2alpha regulated gene Axl is an essential player in GN-11 neuron migration. PMID: 19463168

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Database Links
Protein Families
AP-2 family
Subcellular Location
Nucleus.

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