Description
Storage
Human IL-1α Recombinant Protein is supplied as lyophilized material that is very stable at -20°C. It is recommended to reconstitute with sterile water at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml which can be further diluted in aqueous solutions as needed. Addition of a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA) is recommended for long-term storage. Once in solution, store at 4°C and use within 1 month, or store at -20ºC to -80ºC and use within 3 months to prevent loss of potency. Aliquot to avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles if storing reconstituted material at -20ºC to -80ºC.
Source / Purification
Recombinant human IL-1α was expressed in and is supplied in a lyophilized form.
Background
Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) belongs to the IL-1 family of cytokines with 11 members including IL-1β. IL-1α is expressed in many cell types of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origins under steady state, and its expression can be increased in response to appropriate stimuli (1,2). Like IL-1β, IL-1α is also synthesized as a precursor (pro-IL-1α) and can be cleaved into smaller mature forms. However, both pro-IL-1α and the cleaved form of IL-1α are biologically active and can activate the signaling pathway through the membrane receptor IL-1R1. IL-1α is active both as a secreted form and as a membrane-bound form. Due to such characteristics, passive leakage of IL-1α from dying cells can activate inflammation, leading some researchers to consider IL-1α as a key "alarmin in the cell" that alerts the host to damage or injury (3,4). In addition, IL-1α can also enter the nucleus to modulate transcription (5,6).
