GDF-3 Antibody (878751) [Unconjugated]

This product is produced by and ships from R&D Systems, Inc., a Bio-Techne brand.

GDF-3 (previously called Vgr-2) is a TGF-beta superfamily member belonging to the growth/differentiation factor family (1, 2). GDF-3 is expressed in undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells, white adipose tissue and the brain (2-4). The 364 amino acid (aa) human GDF-3 contains a 21 aa signal sequence, a 229 aa propeptide and a 114 aa mature region that contains one potential N-glycosylation site. The mature region contains a cysteine-knot structure that is conserved throughout family members. However, it lacks the fourth cysteine which is responsible for the formation of an inter-molecular disulfide bond, so GDF-3 may exist as a non-covalent homodimer (2, 5). Mature human GDF-3 shares 83%, 83%, 91%, 92% and 93% aa sequence identity with mouse, rat, bovine, canine and equine GDF-3, respectively. Most of GDF-3 is present as the uncleaved prepro form (6). The uncleaved and the mature forms both appear to have activity, but that activity may differ (5-8). All forms can oppose BMPs. In human ES cells, inhibition of BMP-2 signaling by GDF-3 maintains pluripotency (5, 7). GDF-3 also influences early cell fate decisions; for example, deletion of mouse GDF-3 produces defects in the anterior visceral endoderm of the pre-gastrulation embryo (6-8). GDF-3 cooperates with GDF-1 in embryogenesis, and the mature protein has nodal-like activity (8, 9). Although GDF family members signal through BMP receptors (ALK-1, -2, -3 and -6), which activate Smads 1, 5 and 8, GDF-3 signaling through ALK-4 and ALK-7, which activate Smads 2 and 3, has also been reported (9, 10). In adipocytes, GDF-3 is induced by a high fat diet, promoting adipogenesis and obesity (3, 10, 11).

This product is for research use only and is not approved for use in humans or in clinical diagnosis. Primary Antibodies are guaranteed for 1 year from date of receipt.

Array MAB57541

• GDF-3 Antibodies
• GDF-3 ELISA Kits
• GDF-3 Lysate
• GDF-3 Protein
• GDF-3 Proteins and Enzymes