Introduction
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a crucial signaling molecule in inflammation, playing a role in the body's response to infection and injury. It is mainly produced by immune cells like T cells and macrophages but can also be released by other cell types like endothelial cells. IL-6 influences the activity of B and T lymphocytes, contributing to the body's defense mechanisms, acute phase responses, immune regulation, and blood cell formation.
Description
This product consists of recombinant rat Interleukin-6, produced in E. coli bacteria. It is a single-chain polypeptide that lacks glycosylation, with a molecular weight of 21.7 kDa. The purification process utilizes specialized chromatographic methods to ensure high purity.
Physical Appearance
White powder, lyophilized (freeze-dried) under sterile conditions.
Formulation
Prior to lyophilization, the protein was formulated in a solution containing 0.02% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).
Solubility
For reconstitution, it is advised to dissolve the lyophilized Interleukin-6 in 10mM hydrochloric acid (HCl) to achieve a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. This solution can be further diluted using other aqueous solutions as needed.
Stability
While the lyophilized Interleukin-6 remains stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, it is recommended to store it desiccated at a temperature below -18°C. Once reconstituted, IL-6 can be stored at 4°C for 2-7 days. For extended storage, freezing at -18°C is advisable. It is crucial to minimize freeze-thaw cycles and consider adding a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA) for long-term storage.
Purity
Purity exceeding 90.0% as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis.
Biological Activity
The ED50, representing the concentration required for half-maximal stimulation, is less than 0.01 ng/ml, as determined by the dose-dependent stimulation of mouse 7TD1 cells.
Protein Content
Protein quantification was performed using two separate methods: (1) UV spectroscopy at 280 nm, utilizing an extinction coefficient of 0.55 for a 0.1% (1mg/ml) solution, calculated based on the protein sequence using the PC GENE software; (2) Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), employing a known concentration of IL-6 as a reference standard.
Synonyms
IFN-b2, B cell differentiation factor (BCDF), BSF-2, HPGF, HSF, MGI-2, IL-6, Interleukin HP-1, B-cell hybridoma growth factor.
Amino Acid Sequence
The sequence of the first five N-terminal amino acids was determined and was found to be Met-Phe-Pro-Thr-Ser.
