Cytokines

Sonic Hedgehog is a member of a small group of secreted proteins that are essential for development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. This cytokine binds to the patched (PTC) receptor, which functions in association with smoothened (SMO), to activate the transcription of target genes. Three mammalian hedgehog genes (sonic, desert, Indian) share about 60% homology. Mouse Sonic Hedgehog is 99% homologous to the human gene. Cysteine at position 25 has been substituted with Ile. Mouse SHH is a non-glycosylated polypeptide consisting of 176 amino acids with a MW of 19.8 kDa.

Recombinant mouse Stem Cell Factor (SCF) is involved in survival, differentiation and activation of myeloid, erythroid, lymphoid, mast cells, eosinophils and other progenitor cells. mSCF signals through its receptor, tyrosine kinase SCF R/c-kit. It is produced in E. coli as a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 164 amino acids with a MW of 18,309 Da.

RELM-beta (Resistin-Like Molecule-beta) is a member of a recently identified family of secreted proteins containing a conserved cysteine-rich C-terminus. The RELM family consists of Resistin (also called FIZZ3), RELM-alfa (FIZZ1), RELM-beta (FIZZ2) and RELM-gamma. Only Resistin and RELM-beta were found in humans whereas all four RELM family members were identified in rodents. Recombinant Human RELM-beta is a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 83 amino acids with a MW of 8,893 Da.

Platelet Derived Growth Factor BB (PDGF-BB) is part of a family of PDGFs including AA, AB and BB. All of them are disulfide-linked homodimers and play an important role in the mitogenic activity for connective tissue, blood, bone and cartilage cells. Recombinant Mouse PDGF-BB is a nonglycosylated polypeptide consisting of two PDGF-B chains of 109 amino acids each. The final protein is a disulfide-linked homodimer of 218 amino acids with a MW of 24.6 kDa.

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is the first of a series of neurotrophic factors that were found to influence the growth and differentiation of sympathetic and sensory neurons. It is comprised of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. The beta subunit is responsible for its growth-stimulating activity. The synthesis of NGF in astrocytes is enhanced by various other cytokines: IL-1, TNF-alpha, PDGF and TGF-beta. Mouse beta-NGF produced in the submaxillary gland is a homodimer consisting of two identical 120 amino acid non-glycosylated polypeptide chains with a MW of 13,471 Da each.