
Recombinant human IGF-1 protein (Qk047)
Price range: £60.00 through £190.00
Human insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) protein is used in the maintenance of human pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and is necessary for cell growth in the absence of insulin. IGF-1 promotes the proliferation of many cell types, including embryonic stem cells (ESC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).
Qkine IGF-1 is a highly pure and bioactive 8 kDa protein, Qkine growth factors are animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier-protein free (CF) for consistent stem cell culture.
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Price range: £60.00 through £190.00
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Summary:
- High purity human IGF-1 protein (Uniprot:P05019)
- 8 kDa
>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 sterile-filtered water 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:
Maintenance of pluripotency in iPSC
Cell culture media optimization and replacement of insulin in defined media
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IGF-1 activity was determined using the Promega serum response element luciferase reporter assay (*) in transfected MCF-7 cells. EC50 = 3.5 ng/ml (0.45 nM). Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of IGF-1 for 4 hours. Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity. Data from Qk047 lot #104331. *Promega pGL4.33[luc2P/SRE/Hygro] #E1340
IGF-1 protein migrates as a single band at 10 kDa in non-reducing (NR) conditions and upon reduction (R). No contaminating protein bands are visible. Purified recombinant protein (3 µg) was resolved using 18% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptothanol, R) and non-reduced (NR) conditions and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250. Data from Qk047 batch #104331.

Further quality assays
Mass spectrometry: single species with expected mass
Recovery from stock vial:Â >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 IGF-1 remained bioactive in media for 7 days. Bioactivity was determined using an IGF-1-responsive firefly luciferase reporter assay. Transfected HEK293T cells were treated in triplicate for 4 hours with a serial dilution of IGF-1 which had been pre-incubated in conditioned media for 7 days. Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalised to the control Renilla luciferase activity.
Technote | IGF-1 (Qk047) stabilityProtein background
The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are a family of proteins with a similar structure to insulin. IGF-1 has an A and B chain connected by disulphide bonds, its similarity to insulin means it can bind with low affinity to the insulin receptor [1]. IGF-1 is a primary mediator of growth hormone (GH), with growth-promoting effects on most cells and tissues including skeletal muscle, cartilage, bone, liver, kidney, nerve, skin, hematopoietic, and lung [1]. IGF-1 exerts its biological effect through binding to the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), its effect is modulated through interaction with a group of binding proteins (IGFBPs), which tend to inhibit the effect of IGF-1 [2]. Through IGF1R the Ras-MAPK and PI3 kinase signaling pathways are activated leading to increased cell proliferation and survival [2].
IGF-1 can be used to support maintenance of human embryonic stem cell (ESC) [3] and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cultures [3, 4].
Additional resources
- Technote | IGF-1 (Qk047) stability
- Stability of Qkine recombinant growth factors and cytokines in conditioned media (PDF)
- CytoBoostâ„¢ for increased proliferation of muscle and fat cells in serum-free cultures
- CytoBoostâ„¢-enhanced growth factor activity for cell culture and bioprocessing
- Poster: Neural and glial cell maintenance and differentiation
- Poster: Pluripotent stem-cell derived organoids
- Poster: Adult stem-cell derived organoids
- Brochure: Growth factors for neural and glial cell differentiation
- Brochure: Growth factors for enhanced organoid culture protocols
FAQ
IGF1R is linked to various cytoplasmic second messenger molecules including the RAS-MAPK and PI3K signaling networks.
IGF-1, also called somatomedin C, is a hormone with a similar molecular structure to insulin.
IGF-1 is primarily produced by the liver.
IGF-1 binds to the IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R)
IGF-1 can be used in embryonic stem cell (ESC) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) cultures to promote proliferation, as a replacement to insulin.
Our products are for research use only and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Products are not for resale.

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