Introduction
The TFF family of proteins are known for possessing at least one copy of the trefoil motif, a 40-amino acid domain with 3 conserved disulfide bonds. These proteins, categorized as stable secretory proteins, are found in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Their roles involve safeguarding the mucosa against damage, maintaining the stability of the mucus layer, and influencing the healing process of the epithelium. Specifically, TFF2 plays a role in regulating gastric acid motility and secretion, while also stabilizing glycoproteins within the mucus gel by interacting with carbohydrate side chains. On the other hand, TFF3 promotes the formation of cilia and supports the differentiation of airway epithelial ciliated cells, potentially through a pathway involving the epidermal growth factor receptor. Notably, the overexpression of TFF3 has been linked to the progression of hepatocellular carcinogenesis in both humans and mice. This protein is commonly found in hepatocellular carcinoma, and its expression level is associated with the tumor grade.
Description
Recombinant human TFF-3, produced in E. coli, is a homodimeric polypeptide chain that is not glycosylated. It consists of two chains, each containing 59 amino acids, totaling 118 amino acids. A key feature of TFF-3 is the presence of a 40 amino acid trefoil motif, which includes three conserved intermolecular disulfide bonds. The total molecular mass of the protein is 13.2 kDa. The purification of recombinant human TFF-3 is carried out using specialized chromatographic methods.
Physical Appearance
The product is a sterile, white powder that has been lyophilized (freeze-dried) after filtration.
Formulation
The lyophilization process is performed on a concentrated solution (0.2µm filtered) of TFF-3 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at a pH of 7.4.
Solubility
For reconstitution of the lyophilized TFF3, it is recommended to use sterile 18M-cm H2O. The minimum concentration should be 100µg/ml. This solution can be further diluted with other aqueous solutions as needed.
Stability
Lyophilized TFF3 demonstrates stability at room temperature for a period of 3 weeks; however, for long-term storage, it is recommended to store it in a dry environment below -18°C. Once reconstituted, TFF3 should be stored at 4°C for a maximum of 7 days. For extended storage, freezing below -18°C is advised. It is crucial to incorporate a carrier protein such as 0.1% HSA or BSA for long-term storage. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided to maintain protein integrity.
Purity
The purity of the protein is determined to be greater than 97.0% through analysis using RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE techniques.
Biological Activity
A chemotaxis bioassay using human MCF-7 cells was used to determine the ED50, which was found to be less than 10µg/ml. This corresponds to a specific activity of greater than 100IU/mg.
Synonyms
TFF-3, ITF, TFI, HITF, hP1.B, TFF3, Trefoil factor 3, Intestinal trefoil factor.
Amino Acid Sequence
EEYVGLSANQ CAVPAKDRVD CGYPHVTPKE CNNRGCCFDS RIPGVPWCFK PLQEAECTF.