Product Information

Description: Recombinant Mouse Interferon Alpha 1 (Mu IFN-α1)

Contents: 1 x 10⁵ units/vial

Volume: 0.1ml

Concentration: ≥ 1 x 10⁶ units/ml

Endotoxin: < 1 EU/µg

Buffer: Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) containing 0.1% bovine serum albumun (BSA)

Molecular Weight: 19.1 kDa

Purity: >95%

Purification Method: A combination of ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction and size exclusion chromatography.

Source: Murine cDNA expressed in E. coli

Synonyms: Mu IFN-α1

Accession Number: AY225950

Assay Used to Measure Bioactivity: Interferon was titrated with the use of the cytopathic effect inhibition assay as described [Familletti et al. (1981) "A Convenience and Rapid Cytopathic Effect Inhibition Assay for Interferon," in Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 78 (S. Pestka, ed.), Academic Press, New York, 387 394] with the exception that EMCV rather than VSV was used as the challenge. The activity was determined relative to a lab standard of Mu IFN-αA which was calibrated to the NIH Murine IFN-α standard (Ga02-901-511). Mouse (L929/EMCV) in this assay the EC₅₀ for IFN is ~ 5 U/ml. Specific Activity 7.52x 10⁷ units/mg.

Shipping Conditions: Dry ice

Physical State of Product During Shipping: Frozen

Special Conditions/Comments: After receipt, this product should be kept at -70˚C or below for retention of full activity. Thaw product vial by incubation in cold tap water until just thawed - the contents of the tube should be apportioned in separate tubes so that freezing and thawing is kept to a minimum. Refreezing should be done on dry ice or in a dry ice/alcohol bath. Further dilution of the product should be in buffers containing protein such as 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA). For more information on protein handling visit the PBL website at www.interferonsource.com.

Product Information: Most mammalian species have multiple IFN-α subtypes. Although the reasons for these multiple subtypes are not fully known, there are clear cell type and temporal differences in their expression. Mu IFN-α1 was originally cloned from a genomic library by Zwarthoff et al. [(1985) Nuc. Acids Res. 13(3)791]. A recent study has established a nomenclature for the murine IFN-α subtypes (van Pesch et al. 2004) and determined relative activities of the subtypes with protein quantification by phosphorimaging of metabolically-labeled protein. These authors determined that the Mu IFN-α1 protein had average specific activity when compared to the other subtypes.

Expression of this subtype has been seen in spleen embryonic fibroblasts in some studies, but not in others. Expression has also been observed in brain, and in L929 cells challenged with a variety of viruses [Yeow et al. (1997) Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 29(3) :519, Barchet et al. (2002) J.Exp.Med. 195(4):507, Delhaye et al. (2006) PNAS. 103(20):7835, Fung et al. (2004) J. Imm. Meth. 284:177). It has been suggested that expression of this IFN may be regulated by Oct-1 and that it is IRF-7 dependent [Mesplède et al. (2005) Mol. Cell. Biol. 25(19):8717, Sato et al. (2000) Immunity 13:539]. This subtype has been extensively studied either in transgenic mice or by delivery as an expression construct (Hekman et al. (1988) J.Biol.Chem 263(24):12151, Carr et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 169(9):5859]. When delivered as an expression construct, Mu IFN-α1 reduced CMV intramuscular infection significantly better than Mu IFN-α4 or 9 [Yeow et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 160(6):2932]

Summary: Mouse IFN-α1 is an interferon with broad tissue expression which may be highly effective against certain viruses such as CMV and HSV.



Figure 1: The activity of Mu Alpha-A and Mu Alpha-1 was compared in an L929/EMCV CPE assay. The EC₅₀ for Mu Alpha-A in this experiment was 56 pg/ml while the EC₅₀ for Mu Alpha-1 was 62 pg/ml. This similarity was confirmed for several batches of Mu Alpha-1. Results are representative and may vary depending upon experimental conditions.

This Product is for RESEARCH USE ONLY and is not for sale or use in any commercial kit or for use in the preparation of any commercial antibody. NOT FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USE, OR USE IN HUMANS.

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