Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that was originally described as a mesenchymal-derived factor that regulates cell growth, cell motility, morphogenesis and angiogenesis through activation of its receptor, the transmembrane tyrosine kinase encoded by the c-Met proto-oncogene. HGF and c-Met are often co-expressed or over-expressed in a variety of human malignancies including glioblastoma and medullablastoma. The multifunctional effects of HGF: c-Met signaling in tumor cells are mediated by a network of signal transduction pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). HGF consists of two subunits held by a disulfide bond. The alpha subunit (69 kDa) has a length of 440 amino acids and the beta subunit (34 kDa) has a length of 234 amino acids. The beta chain of the factor shows approximately 38% homology at the protein level to the serine protease domain of plasminogen. Recombinant HGF expressed in human 293 cells and has a molecular mass of 70 kDa, lower compared to the Molecular mass for this cytokine expressed in CHO cells which emphasizes the difference in post translational modifications.
Aliases- HGF, Hepatopoietin-A, HPTA, Scatter factor, SFRecombinant Human Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)
Formulation- Lyophilized from a solution ontaining 10mM Sodium phosphate, 150mM NaCl, 0.01% Tween 80 and 100mM L-Arginine, pH 6.5
Endotoxin Level- <1.0 EU/µg of recombinant protein as determined by the LAL method.
Storage Condition- The lyophilized protein is stable for at least one year from date of receipt at -70°C. Upon reconstitution, this cytokine can be stored in working aliquots at +2° to +8°C for one month, or at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.