The PER2 antibody is a crucial tool in circadian rhythm research, targeting the Period Circadian Regulator 2 (PER2) protein, a core component of the mammalian biological clock. PER2. encoded by the *PER2* gene, operates within the transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL) that drives 24-hour circadian oscillations. It interacts with other clock proteins like CLOCK and BMAL1 to regulate rhythmic gene expression, influencing physiological processes such as sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and hormone secretion.
PER2 antibodies are typically developed in hosts like rabbits or mice using immunogenic peptides or recombinant PER2 protein fragments. These antibodies enable researchers to detect PER2 expression levels, localization, and post-translational modifications via techniques including Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). They are widely used to study circadian disruptions in diseases (e.g., sleep disorders, cancer, metabolic syndromes) and to explore PER2's roles in cellular responses like DNA repair and apoptosis.
Validation of PER2 antibodies is critical due to potential cross-reactivity with homologous proteins (e.g., PER1 or PER3) or isoform-specific epitopes. Knockout controls and specificity tests are recommended. Commercial PER2 antibodies vary in performance across applications, emphasizing the need for protocol optimization. Recent studies also utilize PER2 antibodies in chronotherapeutic research, aiming to align treatments with circadian phases for enhanced efficacy. Overall, these antibodies remain indispensable for unraveling the molecular basis of circadian biology and its health implications. (298 words)