Recombinant human activin A protein (Qk001)£205.00 – £2,900.00View product
Recombinant human activin A protein (Qk001)
£205.00 – £2,900.00
Activin A is a TGF-β family growth factor regulating embryonic development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses. Activin A is frequently used to maintain pluripotency in induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell cultures. It is also used in many stem cell differentiation protocols, including endoderm lineage differentiation and further maturation into hepatocyte and pancreatic cells.
Recombinant human activin A protein is a high-purity mature bioactive dimer of 26 kDa. It is animal origin-free (AOF), carrier protein-free, and tag-free to ensure its purity with exceptional lot-to-lot consistency. This protein has been rigorously benchmarked against other commercial sources and extensively validated for highly reproducible stem cell culture. Qkine founder Marko Hyvönen developed the protocol for making high-purity activin A, and this protein is used at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute.
High purity mature bioactive dimer rigorously benchmarked against other commercial sources.
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£205.00 – £2,900.00
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Summary:
- Bioactive mature domain of recombinant human activin A protein, residues 311-426 (Uniprot: P08476)
- 26 kDa (dimer)
>98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
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 (Reconstitution solution A) at >50 µg/ml, add carrier protein if desired, prepare single-use aliquots and store frozen at -20 °C (short-term) or -80 °C (long-term)
Featured applications:
Induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell differentiation and maintenance
Frequently used together
- Recombinant human FGF-2 (145 aa) protein (Qk025)
- Recombinant human BMP-4 protein (Qk038)
- Recombinant human EGF protein (Qk011)
- Recombinant human BMP-2 protein (Qk007)
- Recombinant human TGF-β1 PLUS™ protein (Qk010)
- Recombinant human FGF-2 (154 aa) protein (Qk027)
- Recombinant mouse FGF-2 protein (Qk042)
- Recombinant human IGF-1 protein (Qk047)
- Recombinant human IGF-1 LR3 protein (Qk041)
- Recombinant human NRG-1 protein (Qk045)
- Recombinant human OSM protein (Qk049)
- Recombinant porcine EGF protein (Qk064)
- Recombinant mouse EGF protein (Qk066)
- Recombinant bovine PDGF-BB protein (Qk079)
- Recombinant chicken/duck FGF-2 (145 aa) protein (Qk030)
Activin A activity was determined using the activin-responsive firefly luciferase reporter assay in transiently transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of activin A. Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized. EC50 = 11.9 pM (309.4 pg/ml). Data from Qk001 lot #104276.
Activin A 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 Qk001 lot #011.
Further quality assays
Mass spectrometry: single species with expected mass
Recovery from stock vial: >95%
Endotoxin: <0.005 EU/μg protein (below level of detection)
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 was as bioactive as activin A protein from an alternative supplier. Activin A activity was determined using the activin-responsive firefly luciferase reporter assay in transiently transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine activin A (Qk001, green) or alternative activin A (Supplier B, black). Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized. Data from Qk001 lot #204536.
Technote | Activin A (Qk001) vial recoveryTechnote | Activin A (Qk001) bioactivityTechnote | Activin A (Qk001) vs activin A PLUS™ (Qk005) bioactivityTechnote | Follistatin-resistant activin A (FRACTA) (Qk035) vs activin A (Qk001)Protein background
Activin A is a member of the belongs to the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily TGF-β family of growth factors [1]–[4]. It was first identified for its ability to stimulate the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. It was later recognized as a multifunctional protein with diverse cellular effects [5], [6]. It plays crucial physiological roles in regulating embryonic development, cell proliferation, and differentiation [6], [7]. It promotes the patterning and differentiation of various organs, including the development of the mesoderm, neural, and reproductive systems. It is also involved in maintaining homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and wound healing [8]. Impaired activin A signaling has been associated with various pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis [9], [10]. As activin A can contribute to disease progression and severity, it is a growing area of research for promising therapeutic targets.
Activins are disulfide-linked homo- and heterodimers of four inhibin β chains [6]. The best-characterized are activin A and activin B, homodimers of inhibin βA and inhibin βB, respectively. Like all other members of the TGF-β family, activins are synthesized as significant 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 essential roles in the biosynthesis, stabilization, transportation and signaling of the growth factors in the body [11]. Activin A binds to activin type I (ALK4 or ALK7) and type II (ActRIIA or ActRIIB) receptors [6], [12]. The type II receptor phosphorylates the type I receptor upon ligand binding, initiating downstream signaling cascades, mainly through the SMAD family of proteins. Activated SMAD complexes translocate into the nucleus, regulating the transcription of target genes involved in various cellular processes. In vivo, the high-affinity inhibitor follistatin and inhibins tightly regulate activin A activity in a feedback loop [13], [14]. Follistatin is secreted into the media during stem cell culture. However, the impact on the efficiency of stem cell differentiation and cellular homogeneity has not been studied closely (see this discussion for more information).
Activin A is frequently used for the maintenance of pluripotency of human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cell lines along with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) [2], [4]. Activin A is also used in various stem cell differentiation protocols. It directs the differentiation into definitive endoderm, precursor to different cell types such as pancreatic and liver cells [15]–[18]. Activin A also promotes neural precursor cells and drives astrocytic differentiation with Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) [19]. Moreover, activin A is also involved in mesodermal differentiation to derive muscle, bone, and blood cells. Finally, activin A is often used for the development and maintenance of organoids [18], [20], [21]. Qkine recombinant activin A protein has been extensively validated and benchmarked with other suppliers’ proteins in stem cell culture and assays. You can view the results of this analysis and a commentary by Qkine’s founder, Marko Hyvönen.
Additional resources
- Technote | Activin A (Qk001) vial recovery
- Technote | Activin A (Qk001) bioactivity
- Technote | Activin A (Qk001) vs activin A PLUS™ (Qk005) bioactivity
- Technote | Follistatin-resistant activin A (FRACTA) (Qk035) vs activin A (Qk001)
- Hepatocyte-like cell differentiation using Qkine animal origin-free growth factors (PDF)
- Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into mesoderm (PDF)
- Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into endoderm (PDF)
Publications using Recombinant human activin A protein (Qk001)
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Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into definitive endoderm on Activin A-functionalized gradient surfaces
Andreasson L, Evenbratt H, Mobini R and Simonsson S et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.10.030 -
Validation of Current Good Manufacturing Practice Compliant Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes for Cell-Based Therapy
Blackford SJI et al.
DOI: doi.org/10.1002/sctm.18-0084 -
Distinct Molecular Trajectories Converge to Induce Naive Pluripotency
Stuart HT et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.07.009 -
IGF1-mediated human embryonic stem cell self-renewal recapitulates the embryonic niche
Wamaitha SE, Grybel KJ, Alanis-Lobato G et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-14629-x -
A mosaic gastruloid model highlights the developmental stage-specific restriction of cell competition in mammalian pre-gastrulation
Frenster JD, Babin S, Josende Garcia JB et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.25.634859 -
A transient modified mRNA encoding Myc and Cyclin T1 induces cardiac regeneration and improves cardiac function after myocardial injury
Boikova A, Quaife-Ryan GA, Batho CAP et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.08.02.551469 -
Differentiating functional human islet-like aggregates from pluripotent stem cells
Barsby T, Ibrahim H, Lithovius V et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101711. -
Dissecting infant leukemia developmental origins with a hemogenic gastruloid model
Ragusa D, Suen C-W, Cortés GT et al.
DOI: doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.10.07.511362 -
Distinct pathways drive anterior hypoblast specification in the implanting human embryo
Weatherbee BAT, Weberling A, Gantner CW et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41556-024-01367-1 -
Dysregulated RNA polyadenylation contributes to metabolic impairment in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Jobbins AM, Haberman N, Artigas N et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1093/nar/gkac165 -
Esrrb guides naive pluripotent cells through the formative transcriptional programme
Carbognin E, Carlini V, Panariello F et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41556-023-01131-x -
Exploring the link between dioxin exposure and diabetes risk: contributions of the islet aryl hydrocarbon receptor
Gang N
DOI: Thesis -
Extracellular matrices modulate differentiation of human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells with spatial hepatic features
Farhan F, Trivedi M, Di Wu P et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3157108/v1 -
Feeder-free culture of naive human pluripotent stem cells retaining embryonic, extraembryonic and blastoid generation potential
Rossignoli G, Oberhuemer M, Brun IS et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.17.633522 -
Generation of human iPSC-derived pancreatic organoids to study pancreas development and disease
Darrigrand J-F, Isaacson A and Spagnoli FM
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.24.620102 -
Genetic and functional correction of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency using CRISPR adenine base editors
Jalil S, Keskinen T, Juutila J et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.03.004 -
Hydrostatic pressure promotes chondrogenic differentiation and microvesicle release from human embryonic and bone marrow stem cells
Luo L, Foster NC, Man KL et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1002/biot.202100401 -
Pancreas agenesis mutations distrupt a lead enhancer controlling a developmental enhancer cluster
Miguel-Escalada I, Maestro MÁ, Balboa D et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.07.014 -
Pluripotent stem cell-derived model of the post-implantation human embryo
Weatherbee BAT, Gantner CW, Iwamoto-Stohl LK et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06368-y -
Protocol for generating a 3D culture of epiblast stem cells
Rosa VS, Sato N and Shahbazi MN et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103347 -
RBL2-E2F-GCN5 guide cell fate decisions during tissue specification by regulating cell-cycle-dependent fluctuations of non-cell-autonomous signaling
Militi S, Nibhani R, Jalali M and Pauklin S.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113146 -
Refined home-brew media for cost-effective, weekend-free hiPSC culture and genetic engineering
Truszkowski L, Bottini S, Bianchi S et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.18245.1 -
Validation of Current Good Manufacturing Practice Compliant Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes for Cell-Based Therapy
Blackford SJI, Yu TTL, Norman MDA et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121982 -
Role of mechanotransduction in pancreatic endocrine cell fate acquisition in SC-islets
Farbergshagen, AC
DOI: Thesis -
Self-renewing human naïve pluripotent stem cells dedifferentiate in 3D culture and form blastoids spontaneously
Guo M, Wu J, Chen C et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-44969-x -
Single Cell Transcriptional Perturbome in Pluripotent Stem Cell Models
Balmas E, Ratto ML, Snijders KE et al.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4854180 -
STAT3 signalling enhances tissue expansion during postimplantation mouse development
Azami T, Theeuwes B, Ton M-LN et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.11.617785 -
Stem cell-derived porcine macrophages as a new platform for studying host-pathogen interactions
Meek S, Watson T, Eory L et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1186/s12915-021-01217-8 -
Stem cell-derived synthetic embryos self-assemble by exploiting cadherin codes and cortical tension
Bao M, Cornwall-Scoones J, Sanchez-Vasquez E et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41556-023-01157-1 -
The HASTER lncRNA promoter is a cis-acting transcriptional stabilizer of HNF1A
Beucher A, Miguel-Escalada I, Balboa D et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41556-022-00996-8 -
The transcriptional regulator ZNF398 mediates pluripotency and epithelial character downstream of TGF-beta in human PSCs
Zorzan I, Pellegrini M, Arboit M et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16205-9
FAQ
What is the function of the activin A protein?
Activin A is a multifunctional protein. It is involved in regulating embryonic development, cell proliferation, and differentiation. It promotes the patterning and differentiation of various organs, including the development of the mesoderm, neural, and reproductive systems. It is also involved in maintaining homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and wound healing. Finally, it stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland.
What does activin A do in cell culture?
Activin A is a critical factor in stem cell culture, commonly used to maintain the pluripotency of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). It is integral to various stem cell differentiation protocols, guiding the differentiation of the definitive endoderm, neural and mesodermal lineages. Activin A is also commonly utilized in the development and maintenance of organoids.
What are activin A and inhibin A?
Activin A and inhibin A are closely related proteins in the TGF-β superfamily. They share structural similarities but have distinct functions and roles in regulating various physiological processes. Activin A has broader functions beyond reproduction, which include handling embryonic development, stem cell maintenance, and the immune system. Inhibin A, conversely, is more specifically associated with the feedback control of follicle-stimulating hormones in the context of reproductive physiology.
What does activin A bind to?
Activin A binds to activin type I (ALK4 or ALK7) and type II (ActRIIA or ActRIIB) receptors to activate downstream SMAD signalling.
Does activin increase LH?
Yes, activin is involved in a feedback loop that regulates the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH).
What does the activin gene do?
The activin gene family includes several genes that encode different activin subunits, forming various activin isoforms such as Inhibin Beta Subunits (INHBA / INHBB / INHBC / INHBD).
What inhibits activin A?
Follistatin and inhibins tightly regulate activin A activity in a feedback loop.
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