Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α), also known as C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), is a chemokine protein that plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes. It is a member of the CXC chemokine family and is known for its ability to regulate the migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival of various cell types, including hematopoietic stem cells, B cells, and T cells .
The CXCL12 gene is located on chromosome 10 in humans and on chromosome 6 in mice . This gene produces multiple isoforms through alternative splicing, with SDF-1α and SDF-1β being the most studied variants . The protein structure of CXCL12 is characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines that form two disulfide bonds, which are essential for its biological activity .
CXCL12 exerts its effects by binding to the G-protein coupled receptor CXCR4, which triggers a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways . This interaction is critical for the chemotactic activity of CXCL12, guiding the migration of cells to specific tissues. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and plays a vital role in immune surveillance, inflammation response, tissue homeostasis, and tumor growth and metastasis .
In mice, CXCL12 is expressed in various tissues, including the brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, platelets, and bone marrow . During embryogenesis, CXCL12 directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from the fetal liver to the bone marrow and contributes to the formation of large blood vessels . Additionally, CXCL12 signaling has been implicated in several cancers and is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease .
Recombinant CXCL12 (Mouse, His Tag) is a laboratory-produced version of the mouse CXCL12 protein, engineered to include a His tag for easy purification and detection. This recombinant protein is widely used in research to study the biological functions of CXCL12 and its interactions with CXCR4. It is particularly valuable in experiments involving cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation .