Synonyms

CCN2, NOV2, HCS24, IGFBP8, MGC102839, CTGF.

Introduction

Connective Tissue Growth Factor belongs to the CCN family of proteins. The CCN family presently consists of six members in human also known as: Cyr61 （Cystein rich 61）, CTGF （Connective Tissue Growth Factor）, Nov （Nephroblastoma Overexpressed gene）, WISP-1, 2 ａnd 3 （Wnt-1 Induced Secreted Proteins）. The CCN genes encode secreted proteins associated with the Extracellular Matrix （ECM） ａnd cell membrane.
CCN proteins are matricellular proteins which are involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including: proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion ａnd migration. They are expressed in derivatives of the three embryonic sheets ａnd are implicated in the development of kidney, nervous system, muscle, bone marrow, cartilage ａnd bone. During adulthood, they are implicated in wound healing, bone fracture repair, ａnd pathologies such as: fibrosis, vascular ailments ａnd tumorigenesis.
Full length secreted CCN proteins can show an antiproliferative activity, whereas truncated isoforms are likely to stimulate proliferation ａnd behave as oncogenes.
The full length protein consists of four modules: Module I shares partial identity with the N-terminal part of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins （IGFBPs）.
Module II includes a stretch of 70amino acid residues – which shares sequence identity with the Von Willebrand Factor Type C repeat （VWC）.
Module III contains sequences sharing identity with the Thrombospondin type 1 repeat （TSP1） （WSXCSXXCG）, which is thought to be implicated in the binding of sulfated glycoconjugates ａnd to be important for cell adhesion.
Module IV, also designated CT, is encoded by exon5. It is the leasts conserved one of the four domains at the level of nucleotide sequence, but it appears to be critical for several of the biological functions attributed to the CCN proteins. Module IV resembles the CT domain of several extracellular protein including, Von Willebrand＇s factor ａnd mucins. Sequence similarities to heparin-binding motifs are also found within this domain.
Proteolysis of the secreted full-length CCN proteins that has been reported in the case of CCN2 ａnd CCN3 might result in the production of CCN-derived peptides with high affinity for ligands that full-length CNN proteins bind only poorly. Amino-truncated CCN2 isoforms were biologically active whereas no specific biological activity has been attributed to the truncated CCN3. Although the molecular processes underlying the production of these secreted isoforms is presently unknown, it is important to note that proteolysis occur at the same amino acid residues in both CCN2 ａnd CCN3. An elevated expression of CCN2 has also been detected by Northern blotting in human invasive mammary ductal carcinomas, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granuloma, endothelial cells of angiolipomas ａnd angioleiomyomas, ａnd in pancreatic tumors. A study performed with chondrosarcomas representative of various histological grades established that CCN2 expression was closely correlated with increasing levels of malignancy.
In agreement with CCN2 playing a role in brain tumor angiogenesis, immunocytochemistry studies indicated that both glioblastoma tumor cells ａnd proliferating endothelial cells stained positive for CCN2. In astrocytomas, CCN2 expression was particularly elevated in high grade tumors, with a marked effect of CCN2 on cell proliferation. Downregulation of CCN2 expression in these cells was associated with a growth arrest at the G1/S transition while over-expression of CCN2 induced a two-fold increase of the number of cells in the G1 phase. Gene profiling analysis allowed to identify a set of about 50 genes whose expression might account for the proliferative activity of CCN2 in these cells.
CCN2 was seen in a higher proportion of mononuclear cells of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Description

The CTGF Human Recombinant produced in HEK293 cells, is 36.67kDa protein containing a total of 334 amino acid residues ａnd 11 additional amino acid residues – Flag Tag, （underlined）.

Amino Acid Sequence

QNCSGPCRCPDEPAP­RCPAGVSLVLDGCGCCR­VCAKQLGELCTER­DPCDPHKGLFCDFGSPAN­RKIGVCTAKDGAP­CIFGGTVYRSGES­FQSSCKYQCTCLDGAV­GCMPLCSMDVRLPSPDCPFPRRVK­LPGKCCEEWVCDEP­KDQTVVGPALAAYR­LEDTFGPDPTMIRAN­CLVQTTEWSACSKTCGMGIS­TRVTNDNASCRLEK­QSRLCMVRPCEAD­LEENIKKGKKCIR­TPKISKPIKFELSGCTSMKTY­RAKFCGVCTDGRCCT­PHRTTTLPVEFKCPDGEV­MKKNMMFIKTCAC­HYNCPGDNDIFES­LYYRKMYGDMAAA­ADYKDDDDK.

Source

HEK293 cells.

Purity

Greater than 90% as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Formulation

Filtered ａnd lyophilized from 0.5mg/ml in 20mM Tris buffer ａnd 50mM NaCl, pH-7.5.

Solubility

The CTGF can be solubilized with sterile pyrogen free water at a concentration of 0.5mg/ml, let pellet dissolve completely. Protein is not sterile! Please filter the product by an appropriate sterile filter before using it in the cell culture.

Stability

Store lyophilized protein at -20°C. Aliquot the product after reconstitution to avoid repeated freezing/thawing cycles. 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.
The lyophilized CTGF remains stable until the expiry date when stored at -20°C.

Applications

Western blotting.

Usage

ProSpec＇s products are furnished for LABORATORY RESEARCH USE ONLY. The product may not be used as drugs, agricultural or pesticidal products, food additives or household chemicals.