Biochem/physiol Actions

Agrin is a large extracellular heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is involved in the formation of the neuromuscular junction.Agrin triggers the aggregation of acetylcholine receptors via the muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) and the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4) receptor complex.Agrin is required for the full regenerative capacity of neonatal mouse hearts.Recombinant agrin has been shown in vitro to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation, as studied in mouse-induced and human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Recombinant agrin has been shown in vivo to promote cardiac regeneration, after induction of myocardial infarction in adult mice.

General description

Agrin C-terminal human recombinant is expressed in human HEK 293 cells as a glycoprotein with a calculated molecular mass of 87 kDa (amino acids Ala1260-Pro2045, with an N-terminal His tag). The DTT-reduced protein migrates as a ~100 kDa polypeptide on SDS-PAGE due to glycosylation. This protein is manufactured in human cells, with no serum. The human cells expression system allows human-like glycosylation and folding, and often supports higher bioactivity of the protein.