| Description | Complement C3 (C3) is the most abundant component of the complement system, with levels in human plasma of ~1.2-1.5 mg/ml. It is central to the activation of both the classical and alternative complement pathways, both of which lead to the proteolytic processing of C3 to C3a and C3b. C3 exists as a Complement C3 (C3) is the most abundant component of the complement system, with levels in human plasma of ~1.2-1.5 mg/ml. It is central to the activation of both the classical and alternative complement pathways, both of which lead to the proteolytic processing of C3 to C3a and C3b. C3 exists as a heterodimer with molecular masses of 115 kDa and 75 kDa, although it is readily processed to create C3a, C3b or C3c depending on the processed state.Reacts to C3 antisera on Western BlotNegative against C4 antisera on Western BlotRef: Tack BF and JW Prahl. 1976. Biochemistry. 15:4513, Tack BF et al. 1981. Methods Enzymol. 80:64, Janatova, J. 1988. Methods Enzymol. 162:579... 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 | Human CCL18 is encoded by the CCL18 gene located on the chromosome 17. As also named MIP-4, it shares 61 % sequence identity to human MIP-1α. CCL18 is mainly expressed by lung and some lymphoid tissues like lymph nodes express CCL18 at low level. It is chemotactic for both activated (CD3+) T Human CCL18 is encoded by the CCL18 gene located on the chromosome 17. As also named MIP-4, it shares 61 % sequence identity to human MIP-1α. CCL18 is mainly expressed by lung and some lymphoid tissues like lymph nodes express CCL18 at low level. It is chemotactic for both activated (CD3+) T cells and nonactivated (CD14-) lymphocytes, but not for monocytes or granulocytes. Involved in B-cell migration into B-cell follicles in lymph nodes. CCL18 plays a role in both humoral and cell mediated immunity responses. Recombinant Human MIP-4/CCL18 is a 7.9kDa protein containing 69 amino acid residues, including the four highly conserved cysteine residues present in CC chemokines.Purity>96% SDS-PAGEFunctionChemotactic factor that attracts lymphocytes but not monocytes or granulocytes. May be involved in B-cell migration into B-cell follicles in lymph nodes. Attracts naive T-lymphocytes toward dendritic cells and activated macrophages in lymph nodes, has chemotactic activity for naive T-cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells and thus may play a role in both humoral and cell-mediated immunity responses... Read More | Tyrosine decarboxylase catalyzes the removal of the carboxyl group from tyrosine to produce tyramine and carbon dioxide. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is a necessary cofactor. By using the apoenzyme prepared from cells grown on a vitamin B6 deficient medium pyridoxal phosphate may be determined. The Tyrosine decarboxylase catalyzes the removal of the carboxyl group from tyrosine to produce tyramine and carbon dioxide. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is a necessary cofactor. By using the apoenzyme prepared from cells grown on a vitamin B6 deficient medium pyridoxal phosphate may be determined. The HOLOenzyme may be used to determine tyrosine, phenylalanine and dihydroxyphenylalanine either manometrically or colorimetrically.L-Tyrosine decarboxylase apoenzyme from Streptococcus faecalis has been used in a study to purify and characterize tyrosine decarboxylase and aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase.L-Tyrosine decarboxylase apoenzyme from Streptococcus faecalis has also been used in a study to investigate the stereospecificity of sodium borohydride reduction of tyrosine decarboxylase... Read More | Product Characteristics UNI-StabilPLUS is a universal stabilizer for the dilution and stabilization of both Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) and Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) labeled proteins and antibodies, in order to maintain the molecular conformation and prevent loss of activity over time. This enablesProduct Characteristics UNI-StabilPLUS is a universal stabilizer for the dilution and stabilization of both Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) and Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) labeled proteins and antibodies, in order to maintain the molecular conformation and prevent loss of activity over time. This enables the making of pre-diluted, ready-to-use conjugates, minimizing assay errors in dilution. Superior stabilization of HRP and AP conjugated antibodies in low as well as high protein dilutions is seen, when using UNI-StabilPLUS. When tested with AP conjugated antibody stability is seen as follows: • at least 3 years at 2-8 °C • at least 2 years at room temperature • at least 4 weeks at 37 °C When tested with HRP conjugated antibody stability is seen as follows: • at least 2 years at 2-8 °C • at least 1 years at room temperature • at least 2 weeks at 37 °CUNI-StabilPLUS is recommended for the dilution of antibodies directed against rabbit immunoglobulins unlike HRP-StabilPLUS (cat. no. H494387) and Antibody Enhancer (cat. no. A494276).Composition & Properties UNI-StabilPLUS is a ready-to use buffer that appears as an opaque solution. The product is based on a mild acid Tris buffer containing proprietary stabilizing components. UNI-StabilPLUS contains neither BSA, nor other material from bovine serum, no azide, mercury or other toxic components.Working Procedure 1.Make a series of dilutions of the HRP- or AP conjugated protein in UNI-StabilPLUS in order to determine the optimal dilution. 2.Run the assay as usual or store the diluted conjugated protein preferably at 2-8 °C.Tips & Tricks • Avoid using phosphate buffers for AP-conjugated antibody assays. We recommend the use of Tris/HCl, Tween as the washing buffer, instead of a PBS buffer which will reduce signal significantly. • For extended stability of HRP conjugated antibodies, HRP-StabilPLUS (cat. no. H494387) is recommended. Handling & Storage • Store solution at 2-8 °C... Read More |