Back to glossary
Cell biology

p16INK4a

p16INK4a is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor encoded by the CDKN2A locus that blocks CDK4/6, halting cell cycle progression and enforcing cellular senescence. Its expression rises markedly with chronological age across many tissues, making it a widely used biomarker of senescent cell burden and biological aging. Selective elimination of p16-positive senescent cells (senolysis) extends healthspan in mice, motivating ongoing senolytic drug development for age-related disease.

Sources

  1. Serrano M, Lin AW, McCurrach ME, Beach D, Lowe SW. (1997). Oncogenic ras provokes premature cell senescence associated with accumulation of p53 and p16INK4a. *Cell*doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(00)81902-9
  2. Ressler S, Bartkova J, Niederegger H, et al.. (2006). p16INK4A is a robust in vivo biomarker of cellular aging in human skin. *Aging Cell*doi:10.1111/j.1474-9726.2006.00231.x
  3. Baker DJ, Wijshake T, Tchkonia T, et al.. (2011). Clearance of p16Ink4a-positive senescent cells delays ageing-associated disorders. *Nature*doi:10.1038/nature10600