Recombinant Human Wnt-9a 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-9a is best known for its participation in joint formation (but not initiation). During the formation of cartilaginous tissue, Wnt-9a contributes to the process of cavitation where chondrogenic tissue undergoes apoptosis and remodeling to create a functional space (interzone; precursor to a joint). Elsewhere in the embryo, Wnt-9a is posited to induce hepatocyte proliferation and promote the generation of glycogen through enzyme activity regulation. In addition, Wnt-9a is reported to induce acetylcholine receptor clustering in newly formed myotubes.

Full Name
Wingless-type MMTV Integration Site Family Member 9a

 Source
E. coli

Species
Human

Accession #
Q8R5M2

Molecule Weight
The mature recombinant human Wnt-9a is a 40 kDa protein containing 336aa (Y30-G365).

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 activate Wnt induced TCF reporter activity in HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells expressing human Frizzled-4 and human LRP-5. The ED50 for this effect is 8-40 ng/mL. Measured in a cell proliferation/survival assay using C3H10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. The ED50 for this effect is 60-300 ng/mL.

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

Storage Buffer
PBS