Description
Growth and Differentiation Factors (GDF) are members of the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site that is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. Studies in rodents suggest that this protein is involved in the establishment of left-right asymmetry in early embryogenesis and in neural development in later embryogenesis.
GDF-6, also known as BMP-13 or cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 2 (CDMP-2), has multiple functions including regulation of myogenesis, regulation of chondrogenesis, bone morphogenesis, and neuron differentiation and survival. GDF-6 response is mediated by the formation of hetero-oligomeric complexes of type I (BMPR-IB) and type II (BMPR-II or Activin R-II) sereine/threonine kinase receptors, and the activation of Smad proteins (Smad 1, 5, and 8).

Full Name
Growth and Differentiation Factor 6

Source
E. coli

Species
Human

Accession #
Q6KF10

Molecule Weight
The mature recombinant human GDF-6 is a 14 kDa protein (336-455aa).

Purity
> 95 % as determined by SDS-PAGE

Endotoxin
< 0.1 EU per μg of the protein as determined by the LAL method

Activity
The ED50 as determined by its ability to induce alkaline phosphatase production by ATDC-5 chondrogenic cells is in the range of 2-3 ug/mL.

Storage
-80     Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Storage Buffer
PBS