| Description | Hemopexin is a single-chain protein belonging to the family of blood transport proteins. It binds to heme released into the bloodstream during the degradation process. Recent studies have demonstrated that hemopexin acts as an extracellular antioxidant against hemoglobin-mediated damage in Hemopexin is a single-chain protein belonging to the family of blood transport proteins. It binds to heme released into the bloodstream during the degradation process. Recent studies have demonstrated that hemopexin acts as an extracellular antioxidant against hemoglobin-mediated damage in inflammation. Hemopexin protects against heme toxicity and conserves and recycles iron. Abnormal levels of hemopexin are associated with hemolytic anemia, chronic neuromuscular disease, and acute intermittent porphyria.EU: <1.0 EU/mg by fluorogenic assay, Lonza, 50-658UPrepared from plasma shown to be non reactive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HBc, and negative for anti-HIV 1 & 2 by FDA-required tests.Ref:Strop, P., et al. 1981. J. Chromat. 214, 317; Miller, Y.I., et al. 1996. Biochem. 35, 13112... Read More | Protein Purity>95% by SDS-PAGEExtinction Coeff.A276 nm = 0.456 at 1.0 mg/mLMolecular Weight8,759 Da (single chain)General DescriptionNatural human C4a is prepared by cleavage of human C4 protein by human C1s. It is produced during activation of both the classical and lectin pathways of complementProtein Purity>95% by SDS-PAGEExtinction Coeff.A276 nm = 0.456 at 1.0 mg/mLMolecular Weight8,759 Da (single chain)General DescriptionNatural human C4a is prepared by cleavage of human C4 protein by human C1s. It is produced during activation of both the classical and lectin pathways of complement. C4a is a member of the anaphylatoxin family of three proteins (C3a, C4a and C5a) produced by the activation of complement (Hugli, T.E. et al. (1981)). It is an unglycosylated polypeptidecontaining 77 amino acids with a molecular mass of 8,759 daltons. Many of the biological functions of C4a are similar to those of C3a, but the specific activities are far below those of C3a. C4a activity is so low, in fact, that it was initially thought to be inactive. These measured activities include inducing muscle contraction in the guinea pig ileum test (spasmogenic activity), desensitization of muscle to C3a stimulation suggesting that the same receptor for both C3a and C4a is involved (tachyphylactic activity) and inducing vascular permeability in human skin (Gorski J.P. et al. (1979)). C4a does not show tachyphylactic activity against C5a or chemotactic activity. Removal of the C-terminal arginine by serum carboxypeptidase N destroys all these activities (Meuller-Ortiz, S.L., et al. (2009)). C4a appears to act through the C3a receptor (C3aR) which is a G-protein coupled receptor found widely distributed on peripheral tissues, lymphoid cells (neutrohphils, monocyes, and eosinophils) and in the central nervous system (astrocytes, neurons and glial cells) (Law, S.K.A. and Reid, K.B.M. (1995)). Physical Characteristics & StructureMolecular weight: 8,759 calculated molecular mass. Observed mass (MALDI-TOF) is 8,762 + 9 mass units. pI = 9.0 to 9.5 (Gorski, J.P. et al. (1981))Amino acid sequence (77 amino acids): NVNFQKAINE KLGQYASPTA KRCCQDGVTR LPMMRSCEQR AARVQQPDCR EPFLSCCQFA ESLRKKSRDK GQAGLQRC4a is thought to be structurally very similar to C3a and C5a to which it is homologous. Thus its 3D structure is probably similar to the X-ray-derived crystal structureof C3a (Huber, R. et al. (1980)) and the NMR derived structure of C3a: Nettesheim, D.G. et al. (1988); Murray, I. et al. (1999).FunctionSee General Description above. C4a exhibits much weaker biological activities than C3a and C5a. Its activity in inducing erythema and edema in human skin is 25,000-fold weaker than that of C5a and 100-fold weaker than C3a per nanomole. The spasmogenic activity of C4a is 2000-fold weaker than C5a and 100-fold weaker than that of C3a. Due to these differences the role of C4a in these responses in vivo is thought to be negligible.AssaysTwo well established assays for C4a and C3a functional activities include induction of contraction in the guinea pig ileum and the permeation of a dye such as trypan blue from the vasculature into skin. The anaphylatoxins also induce mast cell degranulation, (measured as histamine release), platelet aggregation, IL-1 release from monocytes and the release of prostaglandins and leukotrienes from many cells and tissues. The other assays used for C3a (Dodds, A.W. and Sim, R.B. (1997)) should also respond to C4a, but few reports have described utilizing these assays with C4a. ELISA kits for the assay of C4a levels (or more correctly C4a desArg levels) in blood and other fluids are sold by several companies. These measurements are useful for detecting complement activation in vivo, but the interpretation of their meaning is complicated by the fact that clearance of the anaphylatoxins is rapid. In vivoFreshly drawn normal human serum contains significant levels of all three anaphylatoxins. Although these may represent the resting concentration in vivo it is difficult to draw or store blood without some complement activation so a true in vivo concentration is difficult to determine. The presence of EDTA and Futhan in the collection tubes can minimize this background (Pfeifer, P.H. et al. (1999)). Full activation of all C4 in blood (600µg/mL) would result in ~3,400 nM C4a (~30 µg/mL). Due to the low biological activity of C4a it could require activation of most of the C4 in a small region to achieve the micromolar C4a concentrations necessary to elicit a response.RegulationC4a levels are regulated by three processes: formation, inactivation and clearance. There are two enzymes that cleave C4 and release C4a: C1s and MASP-2. C4a is “inactivated” by removal of its C-terminal arginine amino acid. The product C4a desArg (or C4a without the C-terminal arginine) is produced by the action of the plasma enzyme carboxypeptidase N (Mueller-Ortiz S.L. et al. (2009)). The inactivation is rapid and most C4a is converted to C4a desArg within minutes of its formation. Inactivated C4a lack measurable biological activity. Because of the large number of cells bearing C3a/C4areceptors (endothelial, immune, smooth muscle, neuronal, etc.) the capture, internalization and digestion of C4a and C4a desArg probably results in its removal from circulation.DeficienciesA deficiency of C4 or a deficiency of all of the enzymes that cleave C4 to generate C4a could result in the absence of C4a. There are no known complete deficiencies of all ofthe C4 cleaving enzymes. Examples of C4 deficient humans and mice exist (Wessels, M.R. et al. (1995)), but the degree to which pathologies associated with C4 deficiency are due to the lack of C4 or the absence of C4a is unclear. DiseasesThere are no known diseases connected to C4a or C4a desArg. Precautions/Toxicity/HazardsThe source of C4a is human serum, therefore appropriate precautions must be observed even though the source was shown by certified tests to be negative for HBsAg, HTLV-I/II, STS, and for antibodies to HCV, HIV-1 and HIV-II.Injection can cause anaphylatic shock which is a generalized circulatory collapse similar to that caused by an allergic reaction.Hazard Code: B WGK Germany 3... Read More | Malic Dehydrogenase is a ubiquitous enzyme, which exists in two isoforms in eukaryotic cells.Malic dehydrogenase exists as a dimer with each subunit containing an NAD-binding domain and a substrate-binding carboxy-terminal domain required for activity. Malic dehydrogenase is a cytoplasmic isozyme Malic Dehydrogenase is a ubiquitous enzyme, which exists in two isoforms in eukaryotic cells.Malic dehydrogenase exists as a dimer with each subunit containing an NAD-binding domain and a substrate-binding carboxy-terminal domain required for activity. Malic dehydrogenase is a cytoplasmic isozyme and an important catalyst in the tricarboxylic acid cycle.ReagentsA. 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer (pH7.8)B. 0.01 M Phosphate buffer (KH2PO4-NaOH, pH 7.0)C. Triton X-100 solution (50 mg/ml)D. 0.01 M Phosphate buffer containing 0.1% Triton X-100 (KH2PO4-NaOH, pH 7.0)Dilute 20 ml of Triton X-100 solution (C) with approx. 800 ml of 0.01M Phosphate buffer (B). Fill up to 1,000 ml with 0.01M Phosphate buffer (B).E. NADH soluton Weigh 9 mg of NADH and dissolve in 0.1M Tris-HCl bufer (A). Fill up to 50 ml with 0.1M Tris-HCl Buffer (A). (Can be used for 5 days if kept refrigerated)F. Substrate solutionWeigh 11 mg of oxaloacetic acid and dissolve in 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer (A). Fill up to 50 ml with 0.1M Tris-HCl buffer (A) (Make a fresh solution for each use.)G. Enzyme solutionWeigh out Malate Dehydrogenase and dissolve in chilled 0.01M Phosphate Bufer containing 0.1% Triton X-100 (D). Enzyme solution should be prepared so that the value of AOD/minute becomes in the range of 0.025 ± 0.010.ProcedurePipette 2.0 ml of NADH solution (E) and 0.90 ml of Substrate solution (F) respectively into a quartz cell (d=10 mm) and keep at 25 + 0.5'℃ for 5 minutes. Then, pipete 0.10 ml of Enzyme solution (G) into the quartz cell and mix well immediately. Keep the reaction mixture at 25 ±0.5'C.Exaclly at 2 minutes and 5 minutes after the addition of Enzyme solution (G), measure the absorbances of the reaction mixture at 340 nm(A2 and A5).As a blank, pipette 0.01M Phosphate buffer (D) into another quartz cel (d=10 mm) instead of the Enzyme solution (G) and follow the same procedure described above (Ab2 and Ab5).CalculationMalate dehydrogenase activity (u/mg)=[(A2-A5)-(Ab2-Ab5)]/3*(1/6.22)*(n/0.1) ApplicationThis enzyme is used for the enzymatic determination of L-malate and gluamate oxalo-acetate transaminase(GOT)in clinical diagnosis... Read More | Reverse transcriptases are enzymes encoded in retroviruses viral genome. The enzyme is responsible for transcription of the viral RNA to produce a dsDNA that can be inserted into the host genome.Reverse transcriptases are multifunctional enzymes. These enzymes exhibit an RNA and DNA directed Reverse transcriptases are enzymes encoded in retroviruses viral genome. The enzyme is responsible for transcription of the viral RNA to produce a dsDNA that can be inserted into the host genome.Reverse transcriptases are multifunctional enzymes. These enzymes exhibit an RNA and DNA directed polymerase activity. In addition reverse transcriptases catalyze the degradation of RNA in an RNA-DNA hybrid. The exonucleolytic activity proceeds in a 5' ---> 3' direction. The RNA or DNA directed activity requires a template (RNA or DNA) and a primer. The following is a schematic illustration of the reaction:Unit definition: One unit incorporates 1 nanomole of tritiated dTMP into acid insoluble productsusing poly(A)•oligo(dT) 12-18 as the template-primer in 20 minutes at 37° C.ApplicationsHIV reverse transcriptase is used for research on the AIDS primer. However it can be substituted for AMV reverse transcriptase, which is mainly used to transcribe mRNA into double stranded cDNA, that can be inserted into prokaryotic vectors. The enzyme can also be used with either single stranded DNA or RNA templates to make probes for use in hybridization experiments. It can be used for labeling the termini of DNA fragments with protruding 5' termini. The enzyme can also be used to sequence DNAs by the dideoxy chain termination method of Sanger when the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I, or the T7 DNA polymerase yield unsatisfactory results.Reagents0.05 M Tris, pH 8.3, containing 0.008 M MgCl21 mg/ml polyadenylic acid in water (poly A)DNA primer:Oligo d(T)12-181 µ mole dTTP/mL stock solution[methyl-3H]-Thymidine 5'-triphosphate (3H-dTTP)dTTP-3H-dTTP working mix: Add 1-2 µL 3H-dTTP per mL of 100 nmol/mL dTTP in order to obtain 1 to 1.5 x 105 cpm/mL1% bovine serum albumin10% perchloric acid1% perchloric acidBuffer substrate reaction mixture: Prepare fresh, immediately before use:For each 1mL of reaction mixture required mix:0.7 mL Tris/HCl, pH 8.3, 0.008M MgCl20.3 mL 1 mg/mL poly(A) RNA template0.005 mL 0.02 mg/mL oligo d(T)12-18 DNA primer0.02mL 1% BSAEnzymedilute as needed wtih 0.05M Tris/HCl, pH 8.3, 0.008M MgCl2 containing 0.1 mg/mL (1%) BSAProcedurePipette into each tube as follows:Buffer substrate mix：0.1 mLdTTP-3H3-dTTP：0.1 mLEnzyme：5-10 µLIncubate 20 minutes at 37° C. Stop reaction by adding 1 ml 10% cold perchloric acid. Filter through 0.2µ manifold filters used with Millipore vacuum manifold. Wash four times using 2mL 1% cold perchloric acid/wash. Transfer filter to scintillation vials. Add 2mL Cellosolve (or 2-methoxyethanol) to dissolve filter. Filters become opaque upon addition of Cellosolve. Make sure filters are dissolved before proceeding. Add 10mL scintillation cocktail and count.Calculation... Read More | Purity> 95% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analyses.FunctionGrowth factor that controls proliferation and cellular differentiation in the retina and bone formation. Plays a key role in regulating apoptosis during retinal development. Establishes dorsal-ventral positional information in the retina and Purity> 95% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analyses.FunctionGrowth factor that controls proliferation and cellular differentiation in the retina and bone formation. Plays a key role in regulating apoptosis during retinal development. Establishes dorsal-ventral positional information in the retina and controls the formation of the retinotectal map (PubMed:23307924). Required for normal formation of bones and joints in the limbs, skull, digits and axial skeleton. Plays a key role in establishing boundaries between skeletal elements during development. Regulation of GDF6 expression seems to be a mechanism for evolving species-specific changes in skeletal strucutres. Seems to positively regulates differentiation of chondrogenic tissue through the growth factor receptors subunits BMPR1A, BMPR1B, BMPR2 and ACVR2A, leading to the activation of SMAD1-SMAD5-SMAD8 complex. The regulation of chondrogenic differentiation is inhibited by NOG (PubMed:26643732). Also involved in the induction of adipogenesis from mesenchymal stem cells. This mechanism acts through the growth factor receptors subunits BMPR1A, BMPR2 and ACVR2A and the activation of SMAD1-SMAD5-SMAD8 complex and MAPK14/p38... Read More |