Hu/Ms Recom Activin A, 10 µg

A lyophilized recombinant Activin A cytokine preparation supplied by STEMCELL Technologies, intended for laboratory research use. Activin A is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) family of proteins and is produced by many cell types during development. The protein is a disulfide-linked homodimer composed of two beta-A chains that binds to heteromeric complexes of type I (Act RI-A and Act RI-B) and type II (Act RII-A and Act RII-B) serine-threonine kinase receptors. Activin A primarily signals through SMAD2/3 proteins to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, wound healing, apoptosis, and metabolism. It helps maintain the undifferentiated state of human embryonic stem cells and also facilitates their differentiation into definitive endoderm.

The product is expressed in E. coli and supplied lyophilized from a sterile-filtered aqueous solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. The predicted molecular mass is 13.1 kDa per monomer and 26.2 kDa for the homodimer. Biological activity is determined by a cell proliferation/cytotoxicity assay using MPC-11 cells, with an EC50 of ≤ 10 ng/mL and a specific activity of approximately 1.2 IU/µg as calibrated against the human recombinant Activin A WHO International Standard (NIBSC code: 91/626). In a representative assay the EC50 ranged from 1.9 to 2.9 ng/mL. Purity is ≥ 95% and endotoxin level is ≤ 1 EU/μg protein as measured by kinetic LAL analysis. The vial should be centrifuged before opening and the product reconstituted in sterile water to at least 0.1 mg/mL by pipetting the solution down the sides of the vial; vortexing should be avoided. As an optional step, reconstituted product not used immediately may be diluted with concentrated bovine serum albumin (BSA) to a final BSA concentration of 0.1%. The product is stable as supplied for 12 months from the date of receipt when stored at -20°C to -80°C.

According to the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet, the preparation is not classified as hazardous under the 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and is not regulated for transport by DOT, TDG, MEX, ICAO, IATA, IMDG, RID, ADR, or ADN.