FGF-18 Rat
Description
The FGF 18 Rat is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
FGF-18 is encoded by the FGF18 gene in rats. The protein is a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 180 amino acids, with a molecular weight of approximately 21 kDa . The amino acid sequence of rat FGF-18 shares 98% identity with its human counterpart, highlighting its evolutionary conservation and functional importance .
FGF-18 plays a crucial role in various biological processes:
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Embryonic Development: FGF-18 is essential for normal embryonic development. Knockout studies in mice have shown that the absence of FGF-18 leads to decreased expression of osteogenic markers and delayed ossification of long bones . This indicates its vital role in bone formation and development.
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Lung Development: FGF-18 is also significant in lung development. It has been shown to promote the growth and differentiation of lung tissues, contributing to proper lung formation during embryogenesis .
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Cartilage Formation: FGF-18 has an anabolic effect on cartilage formation, making it a potential therapeutic target for cartilage repair and regeneration .
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Neurite Outgrowth: In vitro studies have demonstrated that FGF-18 can induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, suggesting its potential role in neural development and repair .
Recombinant rat FGF-18 is produced using Escherichia coli expression systems. The protein is typically purified to a high degree of purity, often exceeding 95% as determined by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analyses . The recombinant protein is biologically active and can be used in various research applications, including cell culture studies and in vivo experiments.
Recombinant FGF-18 is widely used in scientific research due to its diverse biological functions:
- Developmental Biology: Researchers use FGF-18 to study its role in embryonic development and tissue differentiation.
- Regenerative Medicine: FGF-18’s ability to promote cartilage and bone formation makes it a valuable tool in regenerative medicine research.
- Neuroscience: The protein’s capacity to induce neurite outgrowth is of interest in studies related to neural development and repair.
Recombinant FGF-18 is typically supplied as a lyophilized powder, which should be reconstituted in sterile distilled water or an appropriate buffer containing 0.1% BSA to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml . The reconstituted protein should be stored in aliquots at -20°C or lower to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can lead to protein degradation .
