IHH Human

Indian Hedgehog is a secreted protein that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of chondrocyte differentiation and proliferation, which are essential for bone growth and development . The human recombinant form of Indian Hedgehog is typically produced in E. coli and consists of the amino acid sequence Cys28-Gly202, with an N-terminal methionine . This recombinant protein is highly purified, with a purity greater than 97% as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions .

Ihh mRNA expression is detected in various tissues, including the fetal lung, gut, stomach, liver, kidney, pancreas, and strongly in cartilage, particularly in the growth regions of developing bones . The activity of recombinant Indian Hedgehog is measured by its ability to induce alkaline phosphatase production in C3H10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells . This activity is crucial for its role in bone development and growth.

Indian Hedgehog has significant implications in both clinical and research settings. It is involved in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway, which is crucial in various cancers, including colon cancer . Additionally, Ihh, along with parathyroid hormone-related protein, regulates the rate of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, making it a vital component in studies related to bone growth and development .

The recombinant form of Indian Hedgehog is typically lyophilized from a filtered solution and can be reconstituted in sterile water containing at least 0.1% human or bovine serum albumin . It is stable for 12 months when stored at -20 to -70°C as supplied, and for up to 3 months after reconstitution under sterile conditions .