Introduction
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in systemic inflammation and belongs to a group of cytokines that trigger the acute phase reaction. Primarily secreted by macrophages, TNF exerts pleiotropic effects on cells, including the induction of apoptotic cell death, stimulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation, modulation of inflammation, involvement in tumorigenesis and viral replication, regulation of lipid metabolism, and participation in coagulation. Notably, TNF's primary function lies in the regulation of immune cells. Dysregulation and, particularly, excessive production of TNF have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including autoimmune disorders, insulin resistance, and cancer.
Description
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Mouse Recombinant, produced in E. coli, is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain comprising 157 amino acids. With a molecular mass of 17.3 kDa, this recombinant protein is purified using standardized chromatographic techniques.
Physical Appearance
Sterile Filtered White lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.
Formulation
Lyophilized from a 0.2 µm filtered concentrated solution in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.2.
Solubility
To reconstitute the lyophilized Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, it is recommended to dissolve it in sterile 18 MΩ-cm H2O at a concentration of at least 100 µg/ml. This solution can then be further diluted in other aqueous solutions.
Stability
Lyophilized Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha exhibits stability at room temperature for up to 3 weeks; however, it is advisable to store it desiccated below -18°C. Upon reconstitution, TNF-alpha should be stored at 4°C for a period of 2-7 days. For long-term storage, freezing below -18°C is recommended. To enhance stability during storage, the addition of a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA) is advised. To maintain optimal protein integrity, it is essential to minimize freeze-thaw cycles.
Purity
The purity of the protein is determined using rigorous analytical techniques, including RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE analysis, and is consistently found to be greater than 97%.
Biological Activity
The biological activity of the protein, as determined by its ability to induce cytolysis in murine L929 cells in the presence of Actinomycin D, is exceptionally high. The ED50 value, a measure of potency, is less than 0.1 ng/ml, which translates to a Specific Activity of 10,000,000 Units/mg.
Protein Content
Protein quantification is performed using two independent and reliable methods: 1) UV spectroscopy at 280 nm, employing an absorbency value of 1.24 as the extinction coefficient for a 0.1% (1 mg/ml) solution. This value is derived from the PC GENE computer analysis program, which is specifically designed for analyzing protein sequences (IntelliGenetics). 2) Analysis by RP-HPLC, utilizing a precisely calibrated solution of TNF-alpha as a Reference Standard.
Synonyms
TNF-alpha, Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 2, TNF-a, Cachectin, DIF, TNFA, TNFSF2.
Amino Acid Sequence
MLRSSSQNSS DKPVAHVVAN HQVEEQLEWL SQRANALLAN GMDLKDNQLV VPADGLYLVY SQVLFKGQGC PDYVLLTHTV SRFAISYQEK VNLLSAVKSP CPKDTPEGAE LKPWYEPIYL GGVFQLEKGD QLSAEVNLPK YLDFAESGQV YFGVIAL