MIF Human, GST

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in the immune response. It is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including inflammation, immune regulation, and host defense mechanisms .

The MIF gene is located on human chromosome 22q11.23 and encodes a protein that consists of 115 amino acids . The recombinant form of MIF, tagged with Glutathione S-transferase (GST), is produced in E. coli and results in a fusion protein with a molecular mass of approximately 39.2 kDa . This GST tag aids in the purification and detection of the recombinant protein.

MIF is known for its ability to counteract the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, thereby promoting inflammation . It is secreted by various cells, including macrophages and T cells, in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids . MIF plays a significant role in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens and is involved in the regulation of macrophage function .

MIF interacts with its receptor, CD74, on the surface of immune cells, triggering a cascade of signaling pathways that lead to the activation of pro-inflammatory and survival pathways . This interaction is crucial for the regulation of immune responses and the maintenance of homeostasis during inflammation and infection.

Due to its pro-inflammatory properties, MIF has been implicated in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis . It is also involved in the pathogenesis of endotoxic shock, where it plays a critical role in the body’s response to bacterial endotoxins .

The recombinant form of MIF, tagged with GST, is widely used in research to study its biological functions and interactions. The GST tag facilitates the purification and detection of the protein, making it a valuable tool for biochemical and immunological studies .