Technotes

Qkine follistatin-resistant activin A (FRACTA) and wild type activin A have equivalent bioactivity

Follistatin-resistant activin A (FRACTA) protein has been engineered to prevent binding to the natural inhibitor, follistatin. In vivo activin A activity is regulated by follistatin, a high-affinity inhibitor; follistatin accumulates in stem cell culture, where it inhibits activin A.

Follistatin-resistant activin A (FRACTA, Qk035) has equivalent bioactivity to wild-type activin A (Qk001) but does not bind follistatin so is resistant to feedback inhibition.

Qkine activin A PLUS™ is as biologically active as activin A protein from an alternative supplier

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. Qkine activin A PLUS™ (Qk005) has equivalent bioactivity to activin A from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine activin A and activin A PLUS™ have equivalent bioactivity

Activin A (Qk001) 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. Human recombinant activin A PLUS™ protein (Qk005) is an optimized biologically active truncation of the mature domain of human activin A protein designed to be manufactured at scale for cost-effective, large-scale stem cell culture applications.  The EC50 and activity in stem cell culture of activin A PLUS is equivalent to the full mature domain activin A.

Qkine activin A is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

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. Qkine activin A (Qk001) has equivalent bioactivity to activin A from an alternative major supplier.

Comparison of activin A vial recovery from Qkine and alternative suppliers

Protein recovery yields ranged from 50% – 135% across 8 samples of activin A provided by different suppliers. The wide variation in yields highlights the importance of measuring vial recovery as part of a standard QC process. Qkine maintains an industry-leading vial recovery standard in the range of 95-115%.

Qkine human BDNF is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Recombinant BDNF is used to maintain neurons and differentiate and mature human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors to cortical and motor neurons and cortical organoids. Qkine human BDNF (Qk050) was shown to be as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein.

Qkine bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) has higher bioactivity than BMP-2 from an alternative supplier

Human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is a key regulator of embryogenesis and supports the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and embryonic stem cells (ECS). BMP-2 plays roles in the differentiation of mesenchymal cells to adipocytes, epithelial cancer EMT, chondrogenesis and regulation of neuronal and glial cell development. Qkine BMP-2 (Qk007) has high bioactivity, allowing lower concentrations to be used in media for cost-effective cell culture.

Qkine bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) protein produces consistently high bioactivity lot-to-lot

BMP-4 is part of the TGF-β superfamily and has a complex biochemical structure, expertise is required to manufacture bioactive BMP-4. Qkine BMP-4 (Qk038) was found to have exceptional lot-to-lot consistency.

Qkine BMP-4 has higher bioactivity than bacterial and mammalian-expressed BMP-4 from alternative suppliers

BMP-4 is part of the TGF-β superfamily and has a complex biochemical structure, expertise is required to manufacture bioactive BMP-4. Qkine BMP-4 had higher bioactivity than BMP-4 from alternative suppliers, allowing lower concentrations to be used in media for cost-effective cell culture.

Qkine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein

CNTF protein plays a crucial role in regulating the development of the nervous system and is involved in the differentiation and maintenance of various neurons, glial cells, and retinal cells. Qkine CNTF (Qk063) had higher bioactivity than CNTF from an alternative major supplier.

The only commercially available animal-free bioactive DKK-1 for reproducible stem cell culture and related applications

Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) is a potent Wnt pathway antagonist used to control cell fate, self-renewal, and differentiation. Qkine DKK-1 (Qk068) has equivalent bioactivity to the mammalian-expressed DKK-1 from an alternative major supplier.

Bioactivity of Qkine human and porcine epidermal growth factor (EGF)

Species-specific growth factors such as porcine EGF (pEGF) are essential for the development and maintenance of animal cell lines and cellular agriculture. When tested Qkine pEGF was as biologically active as human EGF.

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

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) has equivalent bioactivity to EGF from an alternative major supplier.

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

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) has equivalent bioactivity to EGF from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine epidermal growth factor (EGF) remains stable and bioactive in conditioned media

In stem cell cultures, the instability of growth factors like EGF contribute to the need for frequent media changes to avoid spontaneous differentiation and variability. The half-life of EGF in conditioned media is believed to be between 1-3 days. Qkine EGF (Qk011) has been tested to ensure its stability in conditioned media.

Qkine fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF-1) can stimulate growth and differentiation of endothelial and epithelial cells and the development of organoids. FGF-1 can also be used for the maintenance of oligodendrocytes and astroglia as well as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. Qkine FGF-1 (Qk071) had equivalent bioactivity to the FGF-1 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 (FGF-10) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF-10) is involved in several different embryo and adult cell and tissue types, including mesenchymal, neuronal and epithelial cells. FGF-10 is used widely for stimulating the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and embryonic stem cells (ESC) and promoting organoid formation. Qkine FGF-10 (Qk003) has equivalent bioactivity to FGF-10 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine human fibroblast growth factor-18 (FGF-18) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

FGF-18 is widely used to support cell culture maintenance and proliferation, promote chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells and stimulate angiogenesis. Qkine FGF-18 (Qk069) has equivalent bioactivity to FGF-18 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine bovine/porcine fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) 154 aa protein is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein

Recombinant bovine/porcine FGF-2 protein 154 aa (bFGF/basic FGF), this is the long form of FGF-2 used for the development of optimized serum-free culture media for species-specific bovine (cow) and porcine (pig) cultivated meat and veterinary research applications. Qkine bovine/porcine FGF-2 (Qk056) was found to be more bioactive than an alternative major supplier.

Thermostable FGF2-G3 protein remains stable and highly bioactive in culture media for 7 days

Qkine FGF2-G3 (Qk053) was engineered with nine amino acid substitutions to stabilize its structure and expressed in E. coli creating the only animal-free, protein-tag-free stabilized FGF2-G3 available commercially. The enhanced stability makes FGF2-G3 a highly bioactive and thermostable (heat stable) engineered form of FGF-2, resulting in improved culture conditions with less frequent media changes.

Qkine fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4) bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

FGF-4 is used for the proliferation and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and promotes neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation. The comparative bioactivity data demonstrated that Qkine FGF-4 (Qk004) had comparable bioactivity FGF-4 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine animal origin-free Fibroblast Growth Factor 8a (FGF-8a) is more biologically active than mammalian-origin comparable alternative

FGF-8a plays a crucial role in regulating embryonic development and is involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), embryonic stem cells (ESC), and neural stem cells (NSC). The comparative bioactivity data demonstrated that Qkine FGF-8a (Qk059) had equivalent bioactivity to the mammalian-expressed FGF-8a from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF-8b) bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

FGF-8b is involved in the regulation of embryogenesis and is commonly used for the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into neural cell types and for brain organoid cultures. Qkine recombinant human FGF-8b (Qk057) had comparable bioactivity to an alternative supplier protein.

Qkine animal origin-free Fibroblast Growth Factor 8b produces consistently high bioactivity lot-to-lot

FGF-8b is involved in the regulation of embryogenesis and is commonly used for the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into neural cell types and for brain organoid cultures. Qkine recombinant human FGF-8b lots tested showed a very narrow bioactivity range of 0.1-0.13 pM.

Qkine Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 (FGF-9) bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

FGF-9 is involved in many developmental processes including neural and skeletal development. Recombinant FGF-9 is frequently used in the generation of kidney organoids. Qkine FGF-9 (Qk039) has equivalent bioactivity to FGF-9 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine recombinant human Flt3L is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3 Ligand or Flt3L) is a cytokine that is involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis. It stimulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of various early myeloid and lymphoid progenitor cells. Qkine Flt3L (Qk087) had equivalent bioactivity to Flt3L from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine human growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5)  bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

Recombinant human GDF-5 protein is commonly used for the differentiation and maintenance of induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Qkine GDF-5 (Qk070) had equivalent bioactivity to GDF-5 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

GNDF is used to maintain neurons and cortical organoids and to differentiate dopaminergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors. GDNF also facilitates the differentiation of neural progenitors to astrocytes. Qkine GDNF (Qk051) had equivalent bioactivity to GDNF from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is stable and bioactive up to 28 days in cell culture conditions

GM-CSF is commonly used in cell culture to stimulate the differentiation and maturation of human induced pluripotent stem cells or peripheral blood cells to myeloid lineages. Qkine GM-CSF (Qk076) was found to bioactive after 28 days in media under cell culture conditions.

Qkine granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is as biologically active as the comparable alternative supplier protein

GM-CSF is commonly used in cell culture to stimulate the differentiation and maturation of human induced pluripotent stem cells or peripheral blood cells to myeloid lineages. Qkine GM-CSF (Qk076) had equivalent bioactivity to GM-CSF from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine IFN-gamma is as biologically active as a comparable alternative standard protein

IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma) is a cytokine crucial for immune responses, produced by T cells and natural killer cells. It activates macrophages, enhances antigen presentation, and plays a key role in inflammation. Qkine IFN-gamma (Qk117) has equivalent bioactivity to the standard assay IFN-gamma.

Qkine insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF-2) is a growth factor that promotes cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, particularly during fetal development. IGF-2 also regulates tissue growth and muscle regeneration. Qkine IGF-2 (Qk118) has equivalent bioactivity to IGF-2 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is slightly more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein

Recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and a potent mediator of inflammation and immune responses. In cell culture, IL-1β is used to stimulate and activate immune cells (macrophages and T cells), maintain hematopoietic progenitor cells, and modulate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Qkine IL-1 beta (Qk101) was slightly more bioactive than IL-1 beta from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a vital cytokine that regulates immune responses by promoting the growth and activation of T-cells, enhancing immune function, and maintaining immune tolerance for immune activation and suppression. Qkine IL-2 (Qk089) has equivalent bioactivity to IL-2 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine Interleukin 3 (IL-3) is as biologically active as the comparable alternative supplier protein

IL- 3 is commonly used in cell culture to stimulate the differentiation and maturation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) towards myeloid progenitors such as mast cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and megakaryocytes. Qkine IL-3 (Qk090) has equivalent bioactivity to IL-3 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic, immune-modulatory cytokine that is secreted primarily by mast cells, T-cells, eosinophils, and basophils. IL-4 plays a crucial role in hematopoiesis, the regulation of antibody production, the stimulation of activated B cell and T cell proliferation, and the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. Qkine IL-4 (Qk092) has equivalent bioactivity to IL-4 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is stable and bioactive up to 28 days in cell culture conditions

IL-6 is used for the culture of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and other relevant cells. Qkine IL-6 (Qk093) was found to be more bioactive after 28 days in media under cell culture conditions.

Qkine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein

IL-6 is used for the culture of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and other relevant cells. Qkine IL-6 (Qk093) was found to be more bioactive than IL-6 produced by an alternative major supplier.

Qkine Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a vital cytokine essential for immune system regulation, particularly in the development and maintenance of T cells, playing a crucial role in both adaptive and innate immune responses. Recombinant human IL-7 stimulates the development of lymphoid progenitor cells. Qkine IL-7 (Qk095) was found to be as bioactive as IL-7 produced by an alternative supplier.

Qkine keratinocyte growth factor (KGF)/fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7) bioactivity is comparable to an alternative supplier protein

Human KGF (FGF-7) protein is a member of the FGF family. KGF protein is used in the culture of lung, breast, liver, and bladder organoids. The comparative bioactivity data demonstrated that Qkine FGF-7 (Qk046) had comparable bioactivity FGF-4 from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

LIF is essential to maintain stem cell pluripotency, so it is widely used in embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell cultures. Qkine LIF (Qk036) has equivalent bioactivity to LIF from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is as biologically active as the comparable alternative supplier protein

M-CSF has been used in vitro for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived macrophages as well as the maintenance and development of monocytes in hematopoietic stem cell culture. M-CSF has also been used to influence macrophage polarization towards an anti-inflammatory or M2 macrophage phenotype. Qkine M-CSF (Qk075) had equivalent bioactivity to M-CSF from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine recombinant human noggin is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Noggin is used in the culture of embryonic and pluripotent stem cells and to derive neural and microglial lineages. It can also be used to generate intestinal, pancreatic, lung, and tumor-derived organoids. Qkine noggin (Qk034) has comparable bioactivity to noggin from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine mouse noggin is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Species-specific recombinant proteins such as mouse/rat noggin (Qk033) are essential for the culture of mouse and rat embryonic stem cells, ensuring reproducible and physiologically relevant cell cultures. Qkine mouse/rat noggin has comparable bioactivity to noggin from an alternative major supplier.

Qkine neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) is as biologically as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) protein is used in cell culture to promote the differentiation and survival of specific neural subpopulations in both the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system such as sensory neurons, cortical neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Qkine NT-3 (Qk058) was as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein.

Qkine platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein

Platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) increases stem cell proliferation and marker expression and can be used in osteogenic and neural stem cell differentiation. Qkine PDGF-BB (Qk044) is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein.

Recombinant R-spondin 1 (Qk006) has equivalent bioactivity to an alternative supplier protein

Recombinant R-spondin 1 (Qk006) can replace conditioned media in pancreatic organoid culture

Human R-spondin 1 protein (RSPO1) is the prototypic member of the R-spondin family. R-spondin 1 is used to potentiate Wnt signaling in many organoid culture systems. Qkine recombinant R-spondin 1 protein (Qk006) was found to be comparable to R-spondin 1 from conditioned media in supporting the growth of pancreatic organoids and PDAC tumor organoids.

Qkine human stem cell factor (SCF) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a key myeloid progenitor differentiation factor for a variety of myeloid cells such as megakaryocytes, basophils, neutrophils, and monocytes. Qkine SCF (Qk078) has equivalent bioactivity to SCF from an alternative major supplier for simple cytokine substitution.

Qkine TGF-β1 PLUS™ induction of chondrogenic differentiation in iPSC derived mesodermal progenitor cells

Qkine transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGF-β3) is as biologically active as a comparable alternative supplier protein

TGF-β3 maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). It can also induce the differentiation of cartilage and muscle cells. Qkine TGF-β3 (Qk054) has equivalent bioactivity to TGF-β3 from an alternative major supplier.

The first quality-matched animal origin-free TGF-β 1,2 and 3 proteins for improved stem cell culture

Recombinant TGF-β proteins are essential reagents in most adult stem cell culture media, although it is not always clear which TGF-β is most appropriate to use. Qkine produces high-quality, animal origin-free TGF-β proteins with guaranteed equivalent purity, allowing comparison of all three directly to define the form that is most efficacious for a specific application.

Qkine animal origin-free TGF-β1 PLUS™ is more bioactive than mammalian expressed alternatives

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) is a common component of human pluripotency maintenance media. However, as TGF-β1 is a highly complex protein, it is difficult to manufacture in microbial expression systems. TGF-β1 PLUS™ shows exceptional lot-to-lot consistency, providing a reliable source of highly active TGF-β1. Qkine animal origin-free TGF-β1 PLUS™ was more bioactive than mammalian expressed alternative.

Qkine vascular endothelial growth factor isoform 165 (VEGF 165) is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein

VEGF165 is commonly used with human-induced pluripotent stem cells or embryonic stem cells-derived endothelial cells for developing human vascular tissue models. It has many applications including its use in neural research involving oligodendrocyte precursor cells, Schwann cells, astrocytes, and microglia. Qkine VEGF165 (Qk048) is more biologically active than a comparable alternative supplier protein.