Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) are a family of proteins that play crucial roles in various biological processes, including angiogenesis, wound healing, and embryonic development . The family consists of 22 members, all of which bind to heparin and signal through four receptor tyrosine kinases: FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3, and FGFR4 .
Fibroblast Growth Factor-22 (FGF-22) is a member of the FGF-7 subfamily. It is synthesized by multiple cell lines, including neurons, keratinocytes, and skeletal muscle myotubes . Human FGF-22 shares 86% homology with its mouse counterpart . This protein is involved in hair development and is required for axonal circuit remodeling after spinal cord injury .
Recombinant Human FGF-22 is a non-glycosylated protein consisting of 149 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 17.3 kDa . It is typically produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and is supplied in a lyophilized form . The lyophilized product is very stable at -20°C and should be reconstituted with sterile water at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml . For long-term storage, it is recommended to add a carrier protein such as 0.1% Human Serum Albumin (HSA) or Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) .
The biological activity of FGF-22 is determined by its ability to induce dose-dependent proliferation of specific cell lines, such as 4MBr-5 cells . The typical effective concentration ranges from 50 to 300 ng/mL . FGF-22 is not intended for human, animal, or diagnostic applications and is strictly for research use .
The protein content and purity of recombinant human FGF-22 are determined using various methods, including UV spectroscopy at 280 nm, Reverse Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC), and SDS-PAGE gels . The endotoxin level is measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) analysis and is typically less than 0.01 ng/µg or 0.1 EU/µg .
For optimal stability, the lyophilized product should be stored at -20°C to -80°C . Upon reconstitution, it is advisable to prepare working aliquots and store them at -20°C to -80°C to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles . The reconstituted product should be gently pipetted and washed down the sides of the vial to ensure full recovery of the protein into solution .