KIF2C (kinesin family member 2C), also known as MCAK (mitotic centromere-associated kinesin), is a microtubule-depolymerizing enzyme belonging to the kinesin-13 family. It plays a critical role in regulating microtubule dynamics during mitosis, particularly in correcting erroneous kinetochore-microtubule attachments and ensuring proper chromosome alignment and segregation. Dysregulation of KIF2C is linked to genomic instability, mitotic defects, and cancer progression, with overexpression observed in various malignancies, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancers. Its involvement in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance makes it a potential therapeutic target.
KIF2C antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function in cellular and disease models. They are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to assess KIF2C levels in clinical samples or experimental systems. Researchers also employ these antibodies to investigate KIF2C's interaction with other mitotic regulators, such as Aurora kinases, and its role in modulating microtubule behavior during cell division. Recent studies explore KIF2C's utility as a prognostic biomarker and its therapeutic vulnerability in cancers with chromosomal instability. However, antibody specificity and validation remain crucial to avoid cross-reactivity with homologous proteins like KIF2A/B.