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Recombinant human activin A PLUS™ protein (Qk005)
Human recombinant activin A PLUS™ protein is an optimized biologically active truncation of the mature domain of human activin A protein. The EC50 and activity in stem cell culture of activin A PLUS is equivalent to the full mature domain activin A.
High purity 24 kDa dimer comprising truncated mature domain of activin A protein, animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier-protein free (CF). Recombinant activin A PLUS™ is designed to be manufactured at scale for cost-effective, large-scale stem cell culture applications.
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1000µg will be despatched as 2 x 500µg
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Summary
High purity optimized mature domain of human activin A (Uniprot: P08476) – particularly suitable for bulk and scale-up stem cell culture applications
>98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
24 kDa (dimer)
Expressed in E. coli
Animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier protein-free
Manufactured in our Cambridge, UK laboratories
Lyophilized from acetonitrile, TFA
Resuspend in 10 mM HCl at >100 µg/ml (provided with protein and free of charge), prepare single use aliquots, add carrier protein if desired and store frozen at -20°C or -80°C
Featured applications
Large scale stem cell expansion
human
species similarity:
mouse – 100%
rat – 100%
Bioactivity
Activin A PLUS™ activity is determined using an activin-responsive firefly luciferase reporter in HEK293T cells. in triplicate) with a serial dilution of activin A for 6 hours. Firefly luciferase activity is measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity. EC50 = 0.103 ng/ml (4.24 pM). EC50 is within the expected range of 6 ± 2 pM. Data from Qk005 lot #104344.
Purity
Activin A PLUS™ migrates as a single band at 24 kDa in non-reducing (NR) and 13 kDa as a single monomeric species upon reduction (R). No contaminating protein bands are visible. Purified recombinant protein (7 µg) was resolved using 15% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptothanol, R) and non-reduced conditions (NR) and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250. Data from Qk005 lot #010.
Further quality assays
Mass spectrometry: single species with expected mass
Analytical reversed-phase: single sharp peak
Endotoxin: <0.005 EU/μg protein (below level of detection)
Recovery from stock vial: >95%
We are a company founded and run by scientists to provide a service and support innovation in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. All our products are exceptionally high purity, with complete characterisation and bioactivity analysis on every lot.
Qkine activin A (Qk001) and activin A PLUS (Qk005) have equivalent bioactivity
Activin A activity was determined using the activin-responsive firefly luciferase reporter assay in stably transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine activin A (Qk001, green) or activin A PLUS (Qk005, black) for 6 hours. Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized.
Qkine activin A PLUS is as biologically active as activin A protein from an alternative supplier
Activin A activity was determined using the activin-responsive firefly luciferase reporter assay in stably transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine activin A PLUS (Qk005, green) or alternative supplier activin A (supplier B, black).
Protein background
Activin A is a member of the TGFβ superfamily of growth factors used in stem cell differentiation and maintenance. Activin A PLUS™, an engineered optimized form of activin A, incorporates an N-terminal truncation to remove a disulfide-linked extension. The resulting protein can be manufactured at extremely consistent high yield with no observed changes in bioactivity compared to the wild-type. This form is particularly suitable for large scale stem cell culture processes.
Activin A is involved in regulation of embryogenesis, development of the reproductive system, wound healing and regulation of immune responses in vivo. The activity of activin A is regulated by the high-affinity inhibitor, follistatin [1], and inhibins. Activins are disulfide-linked homo- and heterodimers of four inhibin β chains. The best characterized are activin A and activin B, homodimers of inhibin βA and inhibin βB respectively. Activins, like all other members in the TGF-β superfamily, are synthesized as larger precursors consisting of an N-terminal signal peptide, a pro-domain of 250–350 residues and a highly conserved mature domain. The pro-domain, which is cleaved off in the mature protein, has important roles in the biosynthesis, stabilization, transportation and signalling of the growth factors [2].
Additional resources
Publications using recombinant human activin A PLUS™ protein (Qk005)
Capture of Mouse and Human Stem Cells with Features of Formative Pluripotency.
In Cell Stem Cells on 8 March 2021 by Kinoshita, M. et al.
Our products are for research use only and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Products are not for resale.
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Potent and stable Activin A PLUS & FGF2-G3
tianmingwu –
We were seeking for a good quality replacement for mammalian cell host human growth factors and glad that we chose Qkine. The Activin A PLUS and FGF2-G3 performed better for H9-hESC self-renewal and primitive germ layer differentiation.
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