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

Transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-β3) is a member of the TGF-beta family. TGF-β controls the differentiation of many cell lineages and regulate cell growth and differentiation. In cell culture, 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) is animal origin-free, carrier protein-free and tag-free to ensure high and consistent bioactivity.

• Qkine TGF-β3 (Qk054) bioactivity was assessed using a quantitative luciferase assay and had an EC50 of  49.7 pg/ml (2 pM).
• This was comparable to Supplier B bacterially expressed TGF-β3 bioactivity of 65.6 pg/ml (2.6 pM).

Qkine TGF-β3 was as bioactive as TGF-β3 from an alternative major supplier. Bioactivity was determined using the Promega serum response element luciferase reporter assay in transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine TGF-β3 (Qk054, green) or Peprotech TGF-β3 (100-36E, Supplier B, black) for 6 hours. Protein concentrations were measured before use (Peprotech vial recovery 84%). Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to control Renilla luciferase activity.

The bioactivity comparison demonstrates that Qkine TGF-β3 (Qk054) has equivalent bioactivity to TGF-β3 from an alternative major supplier. Qkine TGF-β3 has the advantage of being highly pure and animal origin-free, giving batch-to-batch consistency in bioactivity for long-term reproducible culture of iPSC or ESC.