Fetuin-A (AHSG) Human

Introduction to the Molecule

Fetuin-A (AHSG), a 59 kDa glycoprotein, consisting of two cystatin-like domains and a smaller unrelated domain, is predominantly synthesized in liver. It is secreted into the blood stream and deposited as a noncollagenous protein in mineralized bones and teeth. Fetuin-A occurs in high serum concentrations during foetal life, whereas its level declines following infection, inflamatory and malignancy. Fetuin-A acts as an important circulating inhibitor of ectopic calcification, frequent complication of many degenerative diseases. Low serum level of Fetuin-A is associated with vascular and valvular calcification, atherosclerosis, malnutrition and higher cardiovascular mortality in chronic renal failure, liver cancer and liver cirrhosis patients on long-term dialysis. AHSG protein represents a natural inhibitor of tyrosinase kinase activity of the insulin receptor. It may play a significant role in regulating postprandial glucose disposal, insulin sensitivity, weight gain, and fat accumulation. The serum and bone-resident Fetuin-A binds to transforming growth factor-β and blocks TGF-β binding to cell surface receptors.

Research topic

Bone and cartilage metabolism, Renal disease

Description

The Human Fetuin is purified from the human plasma.

Source

Human plasma

Purity

>95%

SDS-PAGE gel

12% SDS-PAGE separation of Human Fetuin 1. M.W. marker – 97, 66, 45, 31, 21, 14 kDa 2. reduced and heated sample, 5μg/lane 3. non-reduced and non-heated sample, 5μg/lane

Endotoxin

< 1.0 EU/ug

Formulation

Filtered (0,4 μm) and lyophilized in 0.5 mg/mL in PBS pH7.4

Reconstitution

Add deionized water to prepare a working stock solution of approximately 0.5 mg/mL and let the lyophilized pellet dissolve completely. Product is not sterile! Please filter the product by an appropriate sterile filter before using it in the cell culture.

Storage, Stability/Shelf Life

Store lyophilized protein at –20°C. Lyophilized protein remains stable until the expiry date when stored at –20°C. Aliquot reconstituted protein to avoid repeated freezing/thawing cycles and store at –80°C for long term storage. Reconstituted protein can be stored at 4°C for a limited period of time; it does not show any change after two weeks at 4°C.

Quality Control Test

BCA to determine quantity of the protein.

SDS PAGE to determine purity of the protein.

LAL test to determine quantity of endotoxin.

Applications

ELISA, Western blotting

Note

This product is intended for research use only. The Certificate of Analysis is available on www.biovendor.com

References

• Arnaud P, Kalabay L. Alpha2-HS glycoprotein: a protein in search of a function. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2002 Jul-Aug; 18(4): 311-4. Review.
• Denecke B, Graber S, Schafer C, Heiss A, Woltje M, Jahnen-Dechent W. Tissue distribution and activity testing suggest a similar but not identical function of fetuin-B and fetuin-A. Biochem J. 2003 Nov 15; 376(Pt 1): 135-45.
• Jersmann HP, Dransfield I, Hart SP. Fetuin/alpha2-HS glycoprotein enhances phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and macropinocytosis by human macrophages. Clin Sci (Lond). 2003 Sep; 105(3): 273-8.
• Ketteler M, Bongartz P, Westenfeld R, Wildberger JE, Mahnken AH, Bohm R, Metzger T, Wanner C, Jahnen-Dechent W, Floege J. Association of low fetuin-A (AHSG) concentrations in serum with cardiovascular mortality in patients on dialysis: a cross-sectional study. Lancet. 2003 Mar 8; 361(9360): 827-33.
• Schafer C, Heiss A, Schwarz A, Westenfeld R, Ketteler M, Floege J, Muller-Esterl W, Schinke T, Jahnen-Dechent W. The serum protein alpha 2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein/fetuin-A is a systemically acting inhibitor of ectopic calcification. J Clin Invest. 2003 Aug; 112(3): 357-66.

By research topic:

• Bone and cartilage metabolism
• Renal disease

By molecule:

• Fetuin-A

Registration form