CNTF Rat

Rat CNTF is a 22.7 kDa protein composed of 199 amino acid residues . Unlike many other proteins, it lacks a hydrophobic N-terminal sequence, which is typically required for secretion . This recombinant form of CNTF is produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and is highly purified, with a purity greater than 98% as determined by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analysis .

CNTF is fully biologically active and has been shown to promote the survival and differentiation of various neuronal cell types . The biological activity of rat CNTF is often measured by its ability to induce the proliferation of human TF-1 cells, with an effective dose (ED50) in the range of 25-35 ng/mL .

CNTF exerts its effects through a tripartite receptor complex consisting of two signal-transducing subunits (leukemia inhibitory factor receptor and gp130) and a CNTF-specific ligand-binding subunit (CNTFR) . This receptor complex mediates the activation of downstream signaling pathways, including the STAT3 and ERK pathways, which are crucial for neuronal survival and differentiation .

CNTF has been widely used in research to study its effects on neuronal survival, differentiation, and regeneration . It has been shown to support the growth and survival of various neuronal populations, including motor neurons, sympathetic ganglion neurons, sensory neurons, hippocampal neurons, and medial septal neurons . Additionally, CNTF has been implicated in promoting neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neuronal populations .

The lyophilized form of rat CNTF is stable at room temperature but is best stored at -20°C for long-term storage . Upon reconstitution with 5 mM Tris, pH 8.0, it can be stored at 2-8°C for up to one week or at -20°C for future use . It is important to handle the product carefully to avoid loss of activity due to repeated freezing and thawing .