Recombinant Human Wnt-8a Protein

Description
The Wnts is a large family of secreted proteins with roles in pattern formation, cell fate decision, axon guidance, and tumor formation. Wnt signaling induces and maintains the transformed phenotype and, in certain embryonic cell lines, supports self-renewal in the absence of significant differentiation. Elevated levels of Wnt proteins are associated with tumorigenesis and are present in numerous human breast cancers. Wnt family members are highly hydrophobic, and possess 22 to 24 conserved cysteines.
Wnt-8a binds to the Frizzled family of receptors to intiate beta-catenin signaling. Wnt-8a is expressed during early embryogenesis and is involved in mesoderm patterning and posteriorization of the neuroectoderm. Wnt-8a signaling promotes optic lens development as well as otic placode formation during inner ear development. Expression of Wnt-8a is observed in heart progenitor cells where it positively regulates cardiac myogenesis.

Full Name
Wingless-type MMTV Integration Site Family Member 8a

 Source
E. coli

Species
Human

Accession #
NM_058244

Molecule Weight
The mature recombinant human Wnt-8a is a 38.7 kDa protein containing 337aa (V25-A351).

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 alkaline phosphatase production by C3H10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. The ED50 for this effect is 0.5-2.5 μg/mL.

Storage
-80 °C, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Storage Buffer
PBS