Introduction
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) is a protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining embryonic stem cells by preventing them from differentiating. It has various functions, including aiding in the development of nerve cells, influencing stem cell versatility, regulating bone and fat metabolism, stimulating the growth of specific cell lines, and promoting the production of megakaryocytes (cells that produce platelets). Interestingly, the LIF protein in humans and mice shares a significant similarity in their structure, with 78% of their amino acid sequences being identical.
Description
This product is a laboratory-produced version of Rat Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF). It is a single chain protein that is not glycosylated, meaning it lacks sugar molecules that are typically attached to proteins. It consists of 180 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 19.8 kDa. The purification process involves specialized chromatography techniques to ensure its high quality.
Physical Appearance
It appears as a white powder that has been freeze-dried and sterilized through filtration.
Formulation
The Rat LIF product is freeze-dried from a concentrated solution in a phosphate buffer (PBS) with a pH of 7.4. The solution undergoes filtration through a 0.2 micrometer filter before the freeze-drying process.
Solubility
To reconstitute the freeze-dried LIF, it is recommended to dissolve it in sterile water at a concentration of at least 100 micrograms per milliliter (µg/ml). Once reconstituted, it can be further diluted in other aqueous solutions as needed.
Stability
While the freeze-dried LIF remains stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, it is best stored in a dry environment below -18°C. After reconstitution, the LIF solution can be stored at 4°C for 2-7 days. For long-term storage, freezing below -18°C is recommended, ideally with the addition of a carrier protein such as HSA or BSA at a concentration of 0.1% to maintain its stability. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of the product.
Purity
The purity of this product exceeds 96%, as confirmed by two analytical methods: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) and SDS-PAGE.
Biological Activity
The biological activity of this rat LIF product is assessed by its ability to stimulate the differentiation of M1 myeloid leukemia cells. The minimum concentration of rat LIF required to observe a detectable effect in this assay is 0.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
Synonyms
Leukemia inhibitory factor, Cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor, Lif.
Amino Acid Sequence
SPLPITPVNA TCAIRHPCHG NLMNQIKSQL AQLNGSANAL FISYYTAQGE PFPNNVDKLC APNMTDFPPF HANGTEKTKL VELYRMVTYL GASLTNITWD QKNLNPTAVS LQIKLNATTD VMRGLLSSVL CRLCNKYHVG HVDVPCVPDN SSKEAFQRKK LGCQLLGTYK QVISVLAQAF .