Cdkn2a, also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, encodes the tumor suppressors p16 and p14ARF. It plays a crucial role in cell cycle regulation by inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases, thereby preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation. This gene is involved in pathways related to tumor suppression, and its loss can lead to deregulation of the cell cycle, making it of great biological importance in cancer research [1,2]. Genetic models, such as gene knockout (KO) or conditional knockout (CKO) mouse models, are valuable for studying its functions.

Loss of the Cdkn2a gene is a frequent event driving melanoma progression. Therapeutic strategies targeting this loss, like pharmacological inhibition of p16 targets CDK4/6, hold potential to improve melanoma treatment [1]. Cdkn2a is the most common homozygously deleted gene in all human cancers, and tumors often codelete the nearby gene MTAP, creating a dependency on PRMT5 [2]. In familial melanoma, Cdkn2a is the most frequently mutated high-risk gene, and carriers may have a worse prognosis, including overall and melanoma-specific survival, as well as a higher incidence of melanoma and a higher risk of a second melanoma [3].

In conclusion, Cdkn2a is a key tumor suppressor gene involved in cell cycle regulation. Model-based research, especially through KO/CKO mouse models, has revealed its significant role in melanoma and other cancers. Understanding Cdkn2a's functions provides insights into the mechanisms of cancer development and potential therapeutic strategies for treating cancers where its loss is involved [1,2,3].

References:

1. Kreuger, Inger Z M, Slieker, Roderick C, van Groningen, Tim, van Doorn, Remco. 2022. Therapeutic Strategies for Targeting CDKN2A Loss in Melanoma. In The Journal of investigative dermatology, 143, 18-25.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2022.07.016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36123181/

2. Mulvaney, Kathleen M. . Early Clinical Success of MTA-Cooperative PRMT5 Inhibitors for the Treatment of CDKN2A/MTAP-Deleted Cancers. In Cancer discovery, 13, 2310-2312. doi:10.1158/2159-8290.CD-23-0951. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37909092/

3. Taibo, Ana, Paradela, Sabela, Suanzes-Hernández, Jorge, Amado-Bouza, Javier, Fonseca, Eduardo. 2023. Prognosis of CDKN2A germline mutation in patients with familial melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In Melanoma research, 34, 9-15. doi:10.1097/CMR.0000000000000920. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37924530/