LECT1 is expressed in the avascular area of prehypertrophic cartilage, and its expression decreases during vascular invasion and chondrocyte hypertrophy . The recombinant form of LECT1, specifically the 214-333 amino acid sequence, is produced in Escherichia coli and consists of a single polypeptide chain containing 143 amino acids with a molecular mass of 16.2 kDa .
The recombinant LECT1 (214-333 a.a.) is produced using Escherichia coli as the expression system. The protein is fused to a 23 amino acid His-tag at the N-terminus and purified using proprietary chromatographic techniques . The final product is a sterile filtered clear solution formulated in a buffer containing 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 0.4 M UREA, and 10% glycerol .
For optimal stability, the LECT1 solution should be stored at 4°C if it will be used within 2-4 weeks. For longer storage periods, it is recommended to store the solution frozen at -20°C with the addition of a carrier protein such as 0.1% human serum albumin (HSA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) to prevent multiple freeze-thaw cycles .