Recombinant Human GDF-11 Protein

Description
Growth and Differentiation Factors (GDF) are members of the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site that is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. Studies in rodents suggest that this protein is involved in the establishment of left-right asymmetry in early embryogenesis and in neural development in later embryogenesis.
GDF-11, also known as BMP-11, controls anterior-posterior patterning by regulating the expression of Hox genes. It determines Hox gene expression domains and rostrocaudal identity in the caudal spinal cord. GDF-11 signals through the Activin type II receptors and induces phosphorylation of Smad2 to mediate axial patterning. Systemic GDF-11 levels decline with age and administration of higher levels of GDF-11 can reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy.
Full Name
Growth and Differentiation Factor 11
Source
E. coli
Species
Human
Accession #
O95390
Molecule Weight
The mature recombinant human GDF-11 is a 12.6 kDa protein (299-407aa).
Purity
> 95 % as determined by SDS-PAGE
Endotoxin
< 0.1 EU per μg of the protein as determined by the LAL method
Activity
Measured by its ability to induce hemoglobin expression in K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. The ED50 for this effect is 0.8-4.8 ng/mL.
Storage
-80 °C, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage Buffer
PBS