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-8, also known as Myostatin, is a myokine, a protein that is produced and released by myocytes that act on the autocrine functions of muscle cells to inhibit muscle cell growth and differentiation. In humans, it is encoded by the MSTN gene. Myostatin is a secreted growth differentiation factor that is a part of the TGF beta protein group.

Full Name
Growth and Differentiation Factor 8

Source
E. coli

Species
Human

Accession #
O08689

Molecule Weight
The mature recombinant human GDF-8 is a 12.4 kDa protein (268-376aa).

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 the inhibition of the proliferation of MPC-11 cells is < 20ng/ml, corresponding to a Specific Activity of 50,000units/mg.

Storage
-80     Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Storage Buffer
PBS