Il-6 is a cytokine with a wide variety of biological functions: it plays an essential role in the final differentiation of b-cells into ig-secreting cells, it induces myeloma and plasmacytoma growth, it induces nerve cells differentiation, in hepatocytes it induces acute phase reactants.

Expression System

Escherichia coli

Sequence

MVPPGEDSKDVAAPHRQPLTSSERIDKQIRYILDGISALRKETCNKSNMCESSKEALAENNLNLPKMAEKDGCFQSGFNEETCLVKIITGLLEFEVYLEYLQNRFESSEEQARAVQMSTKVLIQFLQKKAKNLDAITTPDPTTNASLLTKLQAQNQWLQDMTTHLILRSFKEFLQSSLRALRQM with polyhistidine tag at the C-terminus.

Species

Human

Tag

polyhistidine tag at the C-terminus

Endotoxin Level

<0.1 EU per 1 μg of the protein by the LAL method.

Activity

Measure by its ability to induce proliferation in TF-1 cells.

The ED50 for this effect is <0.5 ng/mL.

The specific activity of recombinant human IL-6 is approximately >5 x 10⁸ IU/mg.

Measure by its ability to induce proliferation in MCF-7 cells.

The ED50 for this effect is <4.4 ng/mL.

Purity

>98% as determined by SDS-PAGE. Ni-NTA chromatography

Formulation

The protein was lyophilized from a solution containing 1X PBS, pH 8.0.

Reconstitution

Unopened ampoules can be stored at -20°C or -80°C.

Need not spin the ampoule. Open the cap carefully, then dissolve the lyophilized protein with sterile water for a 100 μg/mL concentration or according to the product’s Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Rinse the inner side of the ampoule gently and stand for at least 20 minutes at room temperature. (Important Note: Do Not Vortex!) Use the reconstituted solution immediately or store it by distributing it to aliquots and store at -20 °C. (Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles) We recommend diluting the solution to working concentration by using buffers or medium containing a carrier*. (Do not dilute the working solution with water, which may cause protein degradation.)

*Carriers: 0.1% BSA or 5% HSA or 10% FBS.