Stem Cell Factor human

General description

The KITLG (KIT ligand) gene is mapped to human chromosome 12q21.32.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Stem Cell Factor (SCF), also known as c-Kit ligand (KL), steel factor (SLF) and mast cell growth factor (MGF), is a 30 kDa glycoprotein with broad activities on various tissues, including hematopoietic cells, pigment cells, and primordial germ cells.

Stem Cell Factor (SCF), also known as c-Kit ligand (KL), steel factor (SLF) and mast cell growth factor (MGF), is a 30 kDa glycoprotein with broad activities on various tissues, including hematopoietic cells, pigment cells, and primordial germ cells. SCF is secreted by endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and bone marrow stromal cells as a membrane-bound form which may be cleaved to release the soluble form. Both forms are active in promoting colony formation from murine bone marrow cells, but membrane-bound SCF is more effective in promoting hematopoieses in vivo, suggesting a role in cellular interactions between hematopoietic and stromal cells. The soluble is thought to exist in solution as a noncovalently linked dimer. SCF is structurally related to M-CSF (CSF-1) and Flt-3/Flk-2 Ligand (FL) with all three sharing a similar size, existence of transmembrane and soluble forms, four conserved cysteines, and alternative splicing exon locations, but they share little sequence homology. SCF alone is a modest colony stimulating factor. However, in the presence of other cytokines such as EPO, TPO, GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, IL-3, and IL-7, SCF is a potent costimulant that works synergistically to increase the size of myeloid, erythroid or lymphoid lineage colonies without influencing the lineage differentiation of the progenitors.

Stem cell factor (SCF) of granulosa cell origin, efficiently contributes to the follicular development and oocyte maturation. SCF controls tumor development and progression. Elevated SCF gene expression is observed in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Preparation Note

SCF is expressed in human HEK 293 cells as a glycosylated monomer with an apparent molecular mass of 35-45 kDa due to glycosylation. Production in human 293 cells offers authentic glycosylation. Glycosylation contributes to stability in cell growth media and other applications.

Analysis Note

The specific activity was determined by the dose-dependent stimulation of the proliferation of human TF-1 cells (human erythroleukemic indicator cell line).

Legal Information

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