Recombinant Human Pref-1/DLK1/FA1 Protein

Recombinant Human Pref-1/DLK1/FA1 Protein Summary

Product Specifications

Product Datasheets

Carrier Free

CF stands for Carrier Free (CF). We typically add Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a carrier protein to our recombinant proteins. Adding a carrier protein enhances protein stability, increases shelf-life, and allows the recombinant protein to be stored at a more dilute concentration. The carrier free version does not contain BSA.

In general, we advise purchasing the recombinant protein with BSA for use in cell or tissue culture, or as an ELISA standard. In contrast, the carrier free protein is recommended for applications, in which the presence of BSA could interfere.

Background: Pref-1/DLK1/FA1

Human Pref-1 (preadipocyte factor 1), also known as Dlk1 and pG2, belongs to the Notch/Delta/Serrate family of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeat-containing proteins that act as ligands in the Notch signaling pathway (1-4). Human Pref-1 is synthesized as a 383 amino acid (aa) precursor consisting of a 23 aa signal sequence, a 280 aa extracellular region, a 24 aa transmembrane segment, and a 56 aa cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular region contains six tandem EGF-repeats, a juxtamembrane region, and multiple sites for O- and N-glycosylation (3, 5). Heterogeneous transmembrane forms of Pref-1, ranging from 50 to 60 kDa, can be attributed to variability in glycosylation (1-3). In addition to full-length Pref-1A, alternative splicing of the juxtaposition and EGF-repeat regions generate three major short forms, Pref-1B-1D (3, 6). Proteolytic cleavage at one of two extracellular sites in Pref-1A and 1B can produce two soluble forms: a 50 kDa large form and a 24‑25 kDa small form (3, 6). Processing of Pref-1C and Pref-1D, by contrast, can produce only small soluble forms. Only the large soluble form demonstrates biological activity (3, 6). Mature human Pref-1A shares 85% aa sequence identity with mouse and rat homologs. Pref-1 is highly expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and many endocrine tissues, including the growth hormone-producing somatotroph cells of the pituitary gland, insulin-producing ( cells, sex hormone-producing Leydig cells of the testis, and ovarian theca interna and Hilus cells (4). Constitutive expression of Pref-1 in preadipocytes blocks differentiation into mature adipocytes (1-7). Pref-1 also regulates the differentiation of skeletal stem cells, thymocytes, and adrenal gland cells, and inhibits GH secretion in pituitary GH3 cells (4).

Related Research Areas

• Adipocytokines
• Adipogenesis Markers
• Diabetes and Obesity Research
• HIF Transcription Factors
• Lipid/Cholesterol Metabolism
• Notch Family
• Notch Pathway
• Obesity
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