Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a sub-family of growth factors produced by cells, which stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. VEGF’s normal function is to create new blood vessels during embryonic development, new blood vessels after injury, muscle following exercise, and new vessels (collateral circulation) to bypass blocked vessels. Humans express alternately spliced isoforms of 121, 145, 165, 183, 189, and 206 amino acids (a.a.) in length. VEGF production can be induced in cells that are not receiving enough oxygen. VEGF165 appears to be the most abundant and potent isoform, followed by VEGF121 and VEGF189. Recombinant human VEGF121 contains 121 amino acids residues and it is a disulfide-linked homodimer. In addition, it shares 88 % a.a. with corresponding regions of mouse and rat, 96 % with porcine, 95 % with canine, and 93 % with feline, equine and bovine VEGF, respectively.
Source
Molecular Weight
Theoretically as a disulfide-linked homodimeric protein, the product consists of two 121 amino acid polypeptide chains. As a result of glycosylation, it migrates to at least two bands with molecular weights ranging from 14.4-20 kDa in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.
Biological Activity
Fully biologically active when compared to standard. The ED50 as determined by a cell proliferation assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) is between 0.2-0.4 ng/ml.
Appearance
Sterile Filtered White lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.
Formulation
Lyophilized from a 0.2 um filtered concentrated solution in PBS, pH 7.4.
Endotoxin
Less than 0.1 EU/ug of rHuVEGF121 as determined by LAL method.
Reconstitution
We recommend that this vial be briefly centrifuged prior to opening to bring the contents to the bottom. Reconstitute in sterile distilled water or aqueous buffer containing 0.1 % BSA to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. Stock solutions should be apportioned into working aliquots and stored at ≤ -20 °C. Further dilutions should be made in appropriate buffered solutions.
Stability and Storage
Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.- 12 months from date of receipt, -20 to -70 °C as supplied.- 1 month, 2 to 8 °C under sterile conditions after reconstitution.- 3 months, -20 to -70 °C under sterile conditions after reconstitution.
