We are delighted to come together with MBL International and announce their latest product this year!
Afamin/Wnt3a CM and Applications
Afamin/Wnt3a CM is a culture medium that has been conditioned by cells expressing both afamin and Wnt3a proteins. The medium contains secreted proteins, including afamin and Wnt3a, as well as other factors that may be involved in regulating cellular processes.
This medium can be used in various biological and biomedical applications, such as cell culture, tissue engineering, and drug discovery. For example, afamin/Wnt3a Condition Medium can be used to investigate the role of afamin and Wnt3a in various cellular processes, such as stem cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration. The medium can also be used to enhance the activity of Wnt signaling pathways, which are involved in many physiological processes, including embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and disease pathogenesis.
In addition to its research applications, afamin/Wnt3a Condition Medium has potential clinical applications, such as in regenerative medicine and cancer therapy. For example, the medium can be used to promote the differentiation of stem cells into specific cell types, such as neurons or cardiac cells, for tissue repair or replacement. The medium may also be used to enhance the efficacy of Wnt-targeting drugs in cancer therapy.
Overall, Afamin/Wnt3a Condition Medium is a valuable tool for investigating the biological activities and mechanisms of afamin and Wnt3a proteins, as well as for developing novel therapies and treatments for various diseases and conditions.
Background
Wnt3a is a protein that belongs to the Wnt signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and disease pathogenesis. The Wnt signaling pathway is highly conserved in all animals and regulates several cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell fate determination.
It is a ligand that binds to Frizzled (FZD) receptors and co-receptors, such as low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5/6 (LRP5/6), on the cell surface. This binding triggers a cascade of intracellular events that lead to the stabilization and nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Once in the nucleus, β-catenin acts as a transcriptional co-activator and regulates the expression of target genes that are critical for cellular processes.
Wnt3a has been extensively studied in various contexts, including stem cell differentiation, tissue regeneration, cancer biology, and neurobiology. In particular, Wnt3a has been shown to play a crucial role in embryonic development, where it regulates cell fate determination and patterning. Additionally, Wnt3a has been implicated in cancer pathogenesis, where it promotes cell proliferation and survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Afamin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the albumin gene family. It is produced by the liver and secreted into the blood, where it circulates as a major plasma protein. Afamin has been shown to bind several ligands, including vitamin E, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4).
Afamin is highly conserved across species and is present in a wide range of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, and fish. In humans, afamin levels in the blood have been associated with various conditions, including pregnancy, inflammation, liver disease, and cancer.
Afamin may play a role in several physiological processes, including antioxidant defense, lipid metabolism, and cellular proliferation. For example, afamin has been shown to have antioxidant properties, and it may help protect cells from oxidative stress. Additionally, afamin has been shown to be involved in the transport of vitamin E and other lipids, which are important for maintaining cellular function.
In addition to its physiological roles, afamin has also been studied as a biomarker for various diseases. For example, high levels of afamin in the blood have been associated with increased risk for gestational diabetes mellitus, while low levels have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In cancer, afamin has been shown to be overexpressed in several types of tumors, including ovarian and pancreatic cancer, and may serve as a potential biomarker for these diseases.
Mechanism of Wnt3a Stabilization by Afamin Proteins
Afamin can bind to Wnt3a and enhance its signaling activity. Specifically, afamin appears to increase the stability of Wnt3a, leading to increased activation of downstream signaling pathways. Afamin interaction with Wnt3a involves the formation of a complex between the two proteins.
(Image adapted from MBL Life Science; Mihara, et al, eLife (2016) [PMID: 26902720])
This complex may involve specific binding sites on both afamin and Wnt3a and may require the presence of other proteins or co-factors. Binding of afamin to Wnt3a, also protects it from degradation by proteases or other cellular mechanisms. Afamin may also act as a chaperone protein, helping to fold and stabilize Wnt3a, like the role of chaperones in protein folding and stabilization in other biological processes.
The complex formation between afamin and Wnt3a may have implications for various physiological and pathological processes. For example, it has been suggested that afamin may play a role in regulating stem cell differentiation through its interaction with Wnt3a. Additionally, the interaction between afamin and Wnt3a may be involved in the development and progression of cancer, as dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a common feature of many types of tumors.
Another mechanism involves the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Afamin may interact with ECM proteins, such as collagen and fibronectin, and regulate their turnover and remodeling. This interaction may also play a role in the stabilization of Wnt3a, as the ECM has been shown to regulate Wnt signaling activity by influencing the availability and accessibility of Wnt ligands.
Explore the new Afamin/Wnt3a product line here.
Article by Supreetha Toplar