Placental Lactogen Human
(a) Analysis by Gel Filtration.
(b) Analysis by SDS-PAGE.
Description
Placental Lactogen Recombinant is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Product Specs
Placental lactogen, also called chorionic somatomammotropin, is a polypeptide hormone made by the syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta. It possesses activities similar to both growth hormone (GH) and prolactin, influencing growth, lactation, and luteal steroid production. In pregnant women, placental lactogen secretion starts shortly after implantation and rises to 1 gram or more per day by late pregnancy. Additionally, placental lactogen acts as an insulin antagonist.
It's important to note that bovine placental lactogen can activate human and other heterologous GH receptors, but not ruminant GH receptors.
The purification process of Recombinant Placental Lactogen involves proprietary chromatographic techniques.
To maintain optimal product quality, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
(a) Gel Filtration Analysis.
(b) SDS-PAGE Analysis.
Protein content is determined using UV spectroscopy at 280 nm. An extinction coefficient of 0.73 is used for a 0.1% (1mg/ml) solution. This value is obtained through analysis of the protein sequence using the DNAman computer program.
The sequence of the first 6 N-terminal amino acids was determined and was found to be Ala-Val-Gln-Thr-Val-Pro.
Product Science Overview
Placental lactogen is a single-chain protein consisting of 191 amino acid residues linked by two disulfide bonds. Its molecular mass is approximately 22,125 Da . The hormone’s structure and function are similar to those of human growth hormone. It is secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast cells of the placenta and has a biological half-life of about 15 minutes .
The primary functions of placental lactogen include:
- Metabolic Regulation: It decreases maternal insulin sensitivity, leading to increased maternal blood glucose levels. This ensures an adequate supply of glucose to the fetus .
- Lipolysis: It promotes the breakdown of maternal fat stores, releasing free fatty acids that can be used by the mother, while glucose is reserved for the fetus .
- Lactogenic Activity: Although it mimics the action of prolactin in bioassays, its role in human lactation is not entirely clear .
Recombinant human placental lactogen is produced using genetic engineering techniques. The gene encoding hPL is inserted into a suitable expression system, such as Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, which then produce the protein . The recombinant protein is purified to achieve high purity levels, typically greater than 95% as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions .
The recombinant form of hPL is used in various research applications, including:
Human placental lactogen levels are measured during pregnancy to assess the health of the placenta and the fetus. Abnormal levels of hPL can indicate potential complications, such as placental insufficiency or gestational diabetes . The hormone’s levels rise in relation to the growth of the fetus and placenta, reaching maximum levels near term .
