Product Specifications: Lyophilized Powder (>99% purity) in 3ml vial. *Requires Reconstitution ** Available for bulk custom order with 57 Cap/Crimp colors to choose from.
Application: Research peptide studied for DNA repair, anti-inflamation, cellular senescence, anti-aging, stem cell regeneration, tissue repair and healing, neuroprotection, cancer treatments,
Chemical Formula: C₃₀H₅₄N₆O₅
Molecular Weight: ~21 kilodaltons
Concentration: ≥99%
P21 Research Applications
1. Introduction
P21, also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (CDKN1A), is a multifunctional protein that plays crucial roles in various cellular processes. This protein has garnered significant attention in research due to its diverse functions in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cellular differentiation, cancer treatment, neurodegenerative diseases, tissue regeneration, and cellular senescence.
2. P21 in Cancer Research
2.1 Cancer Treatment and Therapy
P21 is extensively studied for its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment. Research has shown that P21 can inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, making it a promising candidate for cancer therapy. The protein's ability to regulate cell cycle progression through inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases is a key mechanism being explored for therapeutic interventions.
Interestingly, P21 displays a dual role in cancer progression, functioning as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene depending on the cellular context. This duality makes it a complex but potentially valuable target for cancer treatment strategies. Recent research has demonstrated that combined inhibition approaches involving P21 can yield synergistic tumor suppression effects.
P21 is also being studied for its involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process crucial for cancer metastasis. Research has shown that CDKN1A/p21 forms complexes with other proteins like ZEB1, influencing the regulation of miRNAs that promote EMT. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic approaches targeting metastasis.
2.2 Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
Beyond treatment, P21 shows promise as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Studies have identified p21 expression as a potential predictive and prognostic biomarker for clinical outcomes in cancer patients. In rectal cancer specifically, negative p21 expression in tumors has been linked to specific outcomes, providing valuable information for treatment decisions.
P21 expression patterns have been correlated with survival rates across multiple cancer types. In breast cancer, high p21 expression has been associated with poor overall and distant metastasis-free survival. Similarly, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), high expression of p21 correlates with a poor prognosis.
Recent multidimensional pan-cancer analyses suggest that CDKN1A may serve as a valuable prognostic and immunotherapeutic marker across diverse cancer types. Conversely, in some cancer types like gastric adenocarcinoma, low expression of CDKN1A has been shown to have independent prognostic significance indicative of tumor progression and poor survival.
3. P21 in Neurodegenerative Diseases
P21 is increasingly recognized for its role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Research in this area focuses on several key aspects:
3.1 Cellular Senescence in Neurodegeneration
Studies have shown that p21 is necessary for the senescent phenotype in mouse brain neurons. The accumulation of senescent cells is common in aging brains and classical neurodegenerative diseases in humans, making p21's role in senescence particularly relevant to understanding disease progression.
P21 regulates cellular senescence via inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), a process that becomes dysregulated in neurodegenerative conditions. This connection between p21, cellular senescence, and neurodegeneration represents a promising area for therapeutic interventions targeting age-related brain diseases.
3.2 Inflammatory Response in the CNS
P21 is being researched as an inflammatory response gene in the central nervous system. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor appears to function as an inflammatory response element and may be a marker of DNA damage in neurological tissues.
Specifically, p21 is associated with various neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease and spinal muscular atrophy. Its involvement in these conditions suggests potential therapeutic applications targeting p21-mediated inflammation in neurodegenerative disorders.
4. P21 in Stem Cell Regulation and Tissue Regeneration
4.1 Stem Cell Maintenance and Differentiation
Research has highlighted p21's crucial role in regulating stem cell differentiation. Basal p21 expression is required for stem cell maintenance, protecting cells during various cellular processes. P21 is involved in multiple aspects of stem cell biology, including differentiation, migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, and reprogramming of induced pluripotent stem cells.
The protein plays a complex role in stem cell function, as evidenced by studies showing that loss of p21 results in increased levels of Sox2, leading to replicative stress that ultimately affects stem cell growth. This balance is essential for proper stem cell function and tissue maintenance.
4.2 Tissue Regeneration and Healing
P21 is being extensively studied for its role in tissue regeneration processes. CDKN1A/P21 functions as a potent inhibitor of cell cycle progression, and its overexpression has been associated with inhibition of normal bone regenerative capacity. Conversely, p21 deficiency appears to delay regeneration of skeletal muscular tissue, highlighting the protein's complex role in different tissue types.
Studies have demonstrated that tissue injury in adult p21-knockout mice resulted in a healing phenotype similar to that observed in regeneration-competent MRL mice. This suggests that p21 down-regulation could functionally induce a regenerative response in appendages that would otherwise not regenerate.
4.3 Specialized Environments and Conditions
Research is also exploring p21's role in stem cell-based tissue regeneration under specialized conditions, such as spaceflight environments. NASA-supported research seeks to understand how mechanisms of stem cell-based tissue regeneration experience changes in such environments, with a focus on p21's function.
Additionally, researchers are investigating the role of CDKN1A/p21 in regulating mechanical load and age-dependent stem cell-based tissue regeneration. These studies aim to develop a holistic view of how p53-p21 targeting can enhance the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), addressing senescence, proliferation, and differentiation.
5. P21 in Cell Cycle Regulation and Cellular Senescence
5.1 Cell Cycle Checkpoint Control
P21 is fundamentally important as a regulator of cell cycle checkpoints that ensure proper cell division. It inhibits cell proliferation directly through binding to cyclin-dependent kinases and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), or indirectly at the transcriptional level 1. This function is critical for maintaining genomic stability through cell cycle control.
The p21 protein is an integral component of the p53-p21-RB signaling pathway, which regulates cell cycle progression. Its role as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor is central to this process and makes it a key player in the maintenance of genome stability.
5.2 Cellular Senescence and Aging
P21 is a major mediator of cellular senescence, a key process in aging and disease. Research shows that p21 regulates cellular senescence via inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), contributing to age-related changes in various tissues.
Studies are examining p21's role in cellular senescence across different contexts, including its function in chronic inflammation conditions like lung disease. The accumulation of senescent cells in aging tissues and their contribution to age-related diseases makes p21 a potential target for interventions aimed at extending healthspan.
6. Additional Research Areas
6.1 DNA Repair Mechanisms
P21 is being studied for its function in DNA repair processes. Research has shown that the p21 CDKN1A protein is an important player in the maintenance of genome stability through its function as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 7. This role extends beyond cell cycle control to include direct involvement in DNA repair mechanisms.
6.2 Cell Migration and Cytoskeletal Dynamics
Beyond its canonical roles, p21 is involved in regulating cell migration and cytoskeletal dynamics 1. These functions are particularly relevant for understanding cancer cell invasion and metastasis, as well as normal developmental processes.
6.3 Inflammation and Stress Responses
P21 functions as an inflammatory response element and is being researched for its role in various inflammatory conditions. Its involvement in cellular responses to stress makes it relevant for understanding how cells adapt to changing environments and pathological conditions.
References:
El-Deiry, W. S., Tokino, T., Velculescu, V. E., Levy, D. B., Parsons, R., Trent, J. M., Lin, D., Mercer, W. E., Kinzler, K. W., & Vogelstein, B. (1993). WAF1, a potential mediator of p53 tumor suppression. Cell, 75(4), 817-825. https://doi.org/10.1016/0092-8674(93)90500-P
Gartel, A. L., & Radhakrishnan, S. K. (2005). Lost in transcription: p21 repression, mechanisms, and consequences. Cancer Research, 65(10), 3980-3985. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-4114
Abbas, T., & Dutta, A. (2009). p21 in cancer: intricate networks and multiple activities. Nature Reviews Cancer, 9(6), 400-414. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc2657
Disclaimer: This product is intended solely for laboratory research purposes. It is not suitable for consumption by humans, nor for medical, veterinary, or household purposes. Researchers should handle all peptides with care and adhere to strict safety guidelines during experiments. Only qualified professionals with appropriate expertise should manage and handle this product. The distributor, manufacturer, and seller of this product are not responsible for misuse or any resulting consequences. By accessing this product, you consent to comply with these terms and conditions.
