Qkine human epidermal growth factor (EGF) is as biologically active as the comparable alternative supplier B protein

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is involved in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation through the tyrosine kinase receptor EGFR. EGF and the EGFR have been linked to many human diseases, including inflammatory diseases and multiple cancers. EGF is an essential growth factor for stimulating the proliferation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and embryonic stem cells (ESC) and their subsequent differentiation. EGF is also a key component of many media for developing and maintaining organoids.

Qkine EGF (Qk011) is animal origin-free, carrier protein-free and tag-free to ensure high and consistent bioactivity.

• Qkine EGF (Qk011) was bioactive in a quantitative luciferase assay with an EC50 of 0.11 ng/ml (17.6 pM).
• This was equivalent to EGF from an alternative supplier, which also had an EC50 of 0.11 ng/ml (17.6 pM).

Qkine EGF was as bioactive as EGF from an alternative major supplier. Bioactivity was determined using the Promega serum response element (SRE) luciferase reporter assay in transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine EGF (Qk011, green) or Peprotech EGF (AF-100-15-100UG, Supplier B, black) for 3 hours. Protein concentrations were measured before use (Peprotech vial recovery 93.5%, Qkine 102%). Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to control Renilla luciferase activity.

The bioactivity comparison demonstrates that Qkine EGF has equivalent bioactivity to EGF from an alternative major supplier. Qkine EGF (Qk011) has the advantage of being highly pure and animal origin-free, giving batch-to-batch consistency in bioactivity for long-term reproducible culture of stem and organoids.