Synonym(s): TNF-α
CAS No.: 94948-59-1
Purity: ≥95% (SDS-PAGE)
Analysis Note: The specific activity was determined by the dose-dependent cytotoxity of the TNF alpha sensitive cell line L-929 in the presence of actinomycin D.
Preparation Note: HumanKine TNF-α is expressed in human HEK 293 cells and has been shown to be predominantly a glycosylated, non-covalently linked homotrimer with a molecular mass of 51 kDa (gel filtration). Production in human 293 cells offers authentic glycosylation. Glycosylation contributes to stability in cell growth media and other applications.
Legal Information: HumanKine is a registered trademark of HumanZyme Inc.
Biochem/physiol Actions: Tumor necrosis factor-α, also known as cachectin, is expressed as a 26 kDa membrane bound protein and is then cleaved by TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) to release the soluble 17 kDa monomer, which forms homotrimers in circulation. TNF-α plays roles in antitumor activity, immune modulation, inflammation, anorexia, cachexia, septic shock, viral replication and hematopoiesis. TNF-α is expressed by a great variety of cells, with numerous inductive and suppressive agents. Primarily, TNF-α is produced by macrophages in response to immunological challenges such as bacteria (lipopolysaccharides), viruses, parasites, mitogens and other cytokines. TNF-α is cytotoxic for many transformed cells (its namesake activity) but in normal diploid cells, it can stimulate proliferation (fibroblasts), differentiation (myeloid cells) or activation (neutrophils). TNF-α also shows antiviral effects against both DNA and RNA viruses and it induces production of several other cytokines. Although TNF-α is used in clinical trials as an antitumor agent, Sigma′s cytokine, growth factor and hormone products are for research only. TNF-α and the related molecule TNF-β (LT-α) share close structural homology with 28% amino acid sequence identity and both activate the same TNF receptors, TNFR1 and TNFR2. Mouse and human TNF-α share 79% amino acid sequence identity. Unlike human TNF-α, the mouse form is glycosylated.
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C5H13NO