P16INK4a

p16INK4a is a major product of the CDKN2A locus. Its alternate reading frame product is p14ARF. p16INK4a regulates the cell cycle by binding and deactivating various cyclin-CDKcomplexes.

A study published in 2007 in the New England Journal of medicine established that there is a strong association between polymorphisms on chromosome 9p21.3 (SNP, rs1333049) and coronary artery disease. This region codes for the INK4 proteins p16INK4a and p15INK4b. The corresponding genes are CDKN2A and CDKN2B. The proteins may inhibit cell growth induced by Transforming Growth Factor-beta.