Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, Human Recombinant

Acts as a negative regulator of the proliferation of normal cells by interacting strongly with CDK4 and CDK6. This inhibits their ability to interact with cyclins D and to phosphorylate the retinoblastoma protein. This activity has the effect of suppressing tumor formation and growth, and of inducing replicative senescence in various normal cells, including stem cells. The expression of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A steadily increases with age, and tends to accumulate in stem cell compartments. The deletion, rearrangement, or mutation of the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A gene is frequently found in melanomas, as well as in certain other types of cancer.