Recombinant Human Interferon alpha-1/13 protein (IFNA1) is produced in E. coli, covering the full length of the mature protein from amino acids 24 to 189. This tag-free protein shows a high purity level of over 96%, as assessed by SDS-PAGE, and maintains an endotoxin level below 1.0 EU/μg, determined using the LAL method. The protein appears to be fully biologically active, with a specific activity of no less than 1.0 × 10^8 IU/mg in antiviral assays.
Interferon alpha-1/13 belongs to the type I interferon family and participates in the innate immune response. It seems to play a critical role in antiviral defense by inducing the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and modulating the immune system. This protein may prove important in research focusing on immune responses and viral pathogenesis, potentially providing insights into mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.
Potential Applications
Note: The applications listed below are based on what we know about this protein's biological functions, published research, and experience from experts in the field. However, we haven't fully tested all of these applications ourselves yet. We'd recommend running some preliminary tests first to make sure they work for your specific research goals.
1. Antiviral Activity Screening and Mechanism Studies
This recombinant IFNA1 protein could be used in antiviral assays to evaluate its protective effects against various viral infections in cell culture systems. Given its confirmed biological activity with specific activity of at least 1.0 × 10^8 IU/mg, researchers might investigate dose-response relationships and compare antiviral efficacy across different viral strains. The protein likely serves as a valuable tool for studying interferon-mediated antiviral mechanisms. Identifying downstream signaling pathways activated upon IFNA1 treatment remains an active area of investigation. Its high purity (>96%) and low endotoxin levels make it suitable for controlled in vitro experiments without confounding inflammatory responses.
2. Interferon Receptor Binding and Signaling Studies
The biologically active IFNA1 protein can be used to investigate binding interactions with interferon alpha/beta receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2) through biochemical binding assays and surface plasmon resonance studies. Researchers may examine receptor binding kinetics, affinity measurements, and competitive binding studies with other interferon alpha subtypes. The protein enables investigation of downstream JAK-STAT signaling pathway activation, including phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2, and subsequent interferon-stimulated gene expression. These studies could contribute to understanding the molecular basis of interferon alpha signaling specificity, though receptor selectivity mechanisms remain partially understood.
3. Antibody Development and Validation
This high-purity recombinant IFNA1 protein serves as a potentially ideal immunogen for generating specific antibodies against human interferon alpha-1/13 in research applications. The tag-free nature suggests that antibodies will recognize the native protein sequence without cross-reactivity to purification tags. Researchers can use this protein as a positive control and standard in various immunoassays, including ELISA, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation experiments. The confirmed biological activity allows for validation of neutralizing antibodies through functional assays. This approach may enable development of research tools for interferon pathway studies, though antibody specificity should be carefully validated.
4. Protein Structure-Function Analysis
The mature form of IFNA1 (amino acids 24-189) expressed in this system provides a suitable substrate for structural and biophysical characterization studies. Researchers might perform protein folding studies, thermal stability analysis, and circular dichroism spectroscopy to understand the relationship between protein structure and biological activity. The high purity could enable crystallization attempts for X-ray crystallography or NMR structural studies, though success isn't guaranteed. Comparative analysis with other interferon alpha subtypes may reveal structural determinants responsible for receptor specificity and biological potency differences.
5. Cell Culture Research and Immune Response Studies
This biologically active IFNA1 protein can be used to stimulate various cell types in culture to study interferon-induced cellular responses and gene expression changes. Researchers might investigate the effects of IFNA1 treatment on immune cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation in primary cells or cell lines. The low endotoxin content appears to ensure that observed cellular responses are specifically due to interferon activity rather than bacterial contamination artifacts. The protein enables studies of interferon's role in modulating immune cell functions, antigen presentation, and inflammatory responses in controlled laboratory settings. However, results from cell culture studies may not always translate directly to in vivo conditions.
