Currency
recombinant human/bovine/porcine TGF-β1 PLUS protein (Qk010)
Human/bovine/porcine TGF-β1 PLUS protein is the first entirely animal-free recombinant human transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) protein for highly reproducible results and compatible with chemically-defined stem cell media. TGFβ1 is used extensively in E8-style induced pluripotent (iPSC) and embryonic (ESC) stem cell media.
High purity 24 kDa dimer comprising optimised mature domain of TGFβ1 protein, animal-free (AF) and carrier-protein free (CF). Our TGF-β1 PLUS protein has been extensively tested for maintenance of iPSC pluripotency by the specialist stem cell biotechnology company, Stemnovate, Cambridge, UK.
*Benchmark our TGF-β1 PLUS against your existing supplier*
Orders are typically shipped same or next day (except Friday).
Easy world-wide ordering, direct or through our distributors.
1mg may be despatched as 2 x 500µg
Buy online with secure credit card or purchase order or email orders@qkine.com
Bulk and stock reservation available
summary
high purity optimised human/bovine/porcine TGF-β1 protein (Uniprot: P01137)
24 kDa (dimer)
expressed in E. coli
animal-free (AOF) and carrier protein-free.
manufactured in our Cambridge, UK laboratories
lyophilized from acetonitrile, TFA
resuspend in 10mM HCl at >100 µg/ml, prepare single use aliquots, add carrier protein if desired and store frozen at -20 oC or -80 oC
featured applications
iPSC and ESC maintenance and expansion
chemically defined media
- Ludwig, Tenneille E., et al. ‘Feeder-Independent Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells’. Nature Methods, vol. 3, no. 8, Aug. 2006, pp. 637–46.
- Beers, Jeanette, et al. ‘Passaging and Colony Expansion of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by Enzyme-Free Dissociation in Chemically Defined Culture Conditions’. Nature Protocols, vol. 7, no. 11, 2012, pp. 2029–40.
- Wang, Linlin, et al. ‘Self-Renewal of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Requires Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor and ERBB2 Receptor Signaling’. Blood, vol. 110, no. 12, Dec. 2007, pp. 4111–19.
species similarity:
mouse – 99%
rat – 99%
bioactivity

TGF-β1 PLUS (Qk010) is highly bioactive compared to mammalian-expressed TGF-β1 preparations from other suppliers.
Comparative activity determined using a quantitative luciferase reporter assay in transiently transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated (in triplicate) with a serial dilution of TGF-β1. Firefly luciferase activity is measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity. TGF-β1 PLUS EC50 1.5 pM (0.037 ng/ml ). Suppliers 1 and 2 have EC50 ~3.5 pM and 38 pM respectively. Data from Qk010 lot #012 and #104273.
purity

TGF-β1 PLUS (Qk010) dimer migrates as a single band at 24 kDa in non-reducing (NR) and 13 kDa as a single monomeric species upon reduction (R). High purity yield of dimeric protein (bioactive form).
Purified recombinant protein (7 μg) was resolved using 15% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptoethanol, R) and non-reduced conditions (NR) and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250. Data from Qk010 lot #012
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.
protein background
Recombinant human transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) protein is an essential growth factor in many iPSC and ESC maintenance media, including the commonly used chemically-defined E8-based stem cell culture medias1, StemPro2 and mTeSR1 medias3. To date, recombinant human TGF-β1 has only been produced from mammalian cell protein expression systems (HEK or CHO), where endogenous protein contaminants, cost and animal-free status is a challenge. Our protein experts have optimized TGF-β1 allowing us to produce the first highly bioactive protein in an E. coli fully animal-free expression system.
As part of our ongoing mission to redefine industry standards for growth factor and cytokine biochemical quality, we’re delighted to introduce the first optimized, truly animal-free recombinant human TGF-β1 for our stem cell maintenance range.
Benefits:
- Truly animal-free alternative for chemically-defined stem cell culture media
- High potency in iPSC culture with high pluripotency (Nanog) marker expression
- High purity, extensive biochemical data and exceptional batch-to-batch consistency
Benefits of the Qkine animal-free approach
- high lot-to-lot consistency for reproducibility
- exceptional purity and bioactivity
- no contamination from endogenous mammalian growth factors
- no viral, prion or trace animal-derived components
- industry leading endotoxin-free proteins
- no carrier-proteins for compatibility with all applications
- suitable for chemically defined media
Customer & collaborator data
TGF-β1 PLUS maintains iPSC pluripotency with high Nanog expression
TGF-β1 PLUS is highly effective at maintaining iPSC pluripotency in chemically-defined, serum and feeder-free culture
Immuno-staining for pluripotency markers Tra 1-60 and Nanog show high levels of expression in iPSC lines maintained in TGF-β1 PLUS (Qk010)-containing defined media. In this study, Qkine TGF-β1 PLUS performed better than the TGF-β1 used routinely by Stemnovate.
TGF-β1 PLUS (Qk010) maintains pluripotency and good colony morphology at 1 ng/ml in a chemically-defined serum and feeder-free iPSC culture. TGF-β1 PLUS used at 1 ng/ml; Qk025 FGF2 used at 100 ng/ml.


TGF-β1 PLUS in combination with Qkine FGF2 shows enhanced bioactivity when benchmarked against other suppliers
Stemnovate IPS media (chemically-defined, serum and feeder-free culture). Higher Nanog pluripotency marker immuno-staining in human iPSC cultured in Qkine FGF2 (Qk025) and TGF-β1 PLUS(Qk010).TGF-β1 PLUS used at 1 ng/ml.
All experiments have been conducted by the specialist stem cell biotechnology company, Stemnovate Limited, in Cambridge, UK.

Our products are for research use only and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Products are not for resale.
Share your thoughts!
Let us know what you think...
What others are saying

Question
Anonymous –
I have read your FAQ on protein handling. Still, resuspending proteins in low pH 10mM HCl is unusual for most proteins but apparently normal for TGF-Beta. Why is this the case for TGF-beta and would resuspending in pure water or PBS be acceptable for short-term storage? Thanks.
(0) (0)
Mairi Shepherd –
TGF-beta family proteins are very hydrophobic and consequently are poorly soluble and will adhere to plastic, we highly recommend following the handling guidance for both long- and short-term storage. We do not recommend resuspending in water or PBS as TGF-beta is insoluble in physiological buffer and the protein will precipitate. We advise storing the protein at a low pH to ensure solubility before dilution to cell culture media. A low pH will also aid the maintenance of the correct disulphide structure of the protein by minimising disulphide bond exchange reactions.
To save you the trouble of making a 10mM HCl solution, we ship vials of reconstitution solution A (10mM HCl) with proteins for which this is our recommended reconstitution buffer. Alternatively, you can make your own 1:1000 dilution of concentrated HCl. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a call with our protein team to discuss your concerns, please email support@qkine.com.
(1) (0)