Introduction
Midkine (MK) belongs to a family of heparin-binding growth factors and is encoded by a gene responsive to retinoic acid. Composed of 121 amino acids, it features 10 cysteine residues that are conserved and likely form disulfide bonds. During embryonic development, MK exhibits a distinct expression pattern suggestive of roles in neurogenesis, cell migration, organ development, and interactions between mesoderm and epithelium. While its presence is largely downregulated in adult humans, MK expression resurfaces in various cancers, where it can function as both a growth factor promoting transformation and a contributor to angiogenesis. Notably, MK exhibits chemotactic activity on human neutrophils, prompting their migration, and can trigger calcium mobilization within these cells. Moreover, it acts as a potent stimulator of histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells in a rapid and dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, MK demonstrates the ability to stimulate the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans.
Description
Recombinant Mouse Midkine, produced in E. coli, is a single-chain polypeptide lacking glycosylation. It consists of 120 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 13.3 kDa. The purification process for this recombinant protein involves proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Physical Appearance
White, lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder, sterile-filtered.
Formulation
Lyophilized from a 0.2 µm filtered solution in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4.
Solubility
To reconstitute lyophilized Mouse Midkine, it is recommended to dissolve it in sterile 18M-cm H₂O at a concentration of at least 100 µg/ml. The resulting solution can be further diluted in other aqueous solutions.
Stability
Lyophilized Mouse Midkine, though stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, should be stored in a dry environment below -18°C for long-term preservation. Once reconstituted, it can be kept at 4°C for 2-7 days. For extended storage, freezing at -18°C is recommended. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Purity
Purity exceeds 95.0%, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
Biological Activity
The biological activity is comparable to the standard, as assessed by its chemotactic effect on human neutrophils. Within a concentration range of 10-100 ng/ml, it exhibits a specific activity of 10,000-100,000 IU/mg.
Synonyms
NEGF-2, Neurite Growth-Promoting Factor 2, MK, Neurite outgrowth-promoting protein, Midgestation and kidney protein, Amphiregulin-associated protein, ARAP, Neurite outgrowth-promoting factor 2, FLJ27379, Midkine, MK1, NEGF2.
Amino Acid Sequence
VAKKKEKVKK GSECSEWTWG PCTPSSKDCG MGFREGTCGA QTQRVHCKVP CNWKKEFGAD CKYKFESWGA CDGSTGTKAR QGTLKKARYN AQCQETIRVT KPCTSKTKSK TKAKKGKGKD