Human Activin A Recombinant Protein

Product Specific Information

Description: Activin A is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily, along with the other activin proteins and the structurally related inhibins. The activins are dimeric proteins formed by the association of two of the four existing beta subunits, betaA, betaB, betaC, and betaE. These subunits are shared with the inhibin proteins, which are heterodimers of one beta and one alpha chain. Activin A is a homodimer of two 13 kDa betaA subunits, which can also associate with betaB or betaC to form Activin AB or AC, respectively. Activin A is expressed by various cell types and exhibits pleiotropic effects including the regulation of metabolism, homeostasis, cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, and tissue healing. Activin A has been recently reported to work in synergy with TGF-beta to promote the induction of antigen specific iTreg cells leading to inhibition of Th1 and Th2-mediated responses.

Applications Reported: Human Activin A Recombinant Protein is biologically active.

Applications Tested: The ED50 of this protein, as measured by inhibition of MPC-11 mouse plasmacytoma cell proliferation, is 0.75-3 ng/mL. This corresponds to a specific activity of 1.3 x 10e6 - 3.3 x 10e5 Units/mg.

Source: Insect expressed amino acids Gly311-Ser426, accession number NM_002192.

Bioactivity: The ED50 of this protein, as measured by inhibition of MPC-11 mouse plasmacytoma cell proliferation, is 0.75-3 ng/mL. This corresponds to a specific activity of 1.3 x 10e6 - 3.3 x 10e5 Units/mg.

Endotoxin: Less than 0.01 ng/ug cytokine as determined by the LAL assay. Purity: Greater than or equal to 95% as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Molecular Weight: 26 kDa.

Storage and handling: For best recovery, quick-spin vial prior to opening. Use in a sterile environment.

Purity: Greater than 90%, as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Aggregation: Less than 10%, as determined by HPLC.

Filtration: 0.2 µm post-manufacturing filtered.

Target Information

Activins are dimeric growth and differentiation factors which belong to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of structurally related signaling proteins. Activins signal through a heteromeric complex of receptor serine kinases which include at least two type I ( I and IB) and two type II (II and IIB) receptors. These receptors are all transmembrane proteins, composed of a ligand-binding extracellular domain with cysteine-rich region, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain with predicted serine/threonine specificity. Type I receptors are essential for signaling; and type II receptors are required for binding ligands and for expression of type I receptors. Type I and II receptors form a stable complex after ligand binding, resulting in phosphorylation of type I receptors by type II receptors. Activin A mutations are associated with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive.