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Recombinant human FGF-8b protein

QK057

Brand: Qkine

Fibroblast growth factor 8b (FGF-8b) is a member of the FGF family involved in the regulation of embryogenesis, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration.

FGF-8b is commonly used for the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into neural cell types and brain organoid cultures.

FGF-8b is a spliced form of FGF-8, a heparin-binding protein that targets mammary and non-mammary cells expressing the FGF receptors. A 22.5 kDa highly pure, bioactive recombinant protein produced in an animal origin-free expression system. This protein is carrier-free, tag-free and non-glycosylated to ensure a pure, homogenous protein with exceptional lot-to-lot consistency. Qk057 is suitable for enhanced reproducibility and physiologically relevant cultures.

Currency: 

Product name Catalog number Pack size Price Price (USD) Price (GBP) Price (EUR)
Recombinant human FGF-8b protein, 25 µg QK057-0025 25 µg (select above) $ 210.00 £ 155.00 € 182.00
Recombinant human FGF-8b protein, 50 µg QK057-0050 50 µg (select above) $ 315.00 £ 225.00 € 263.00
Recombinant human FGF-8b protein, 100 µg QK057-0100 100 µg (select above) $ 500.00 £ 375.00 € 438.00
Recombinant human FGF-8b protein, 500 µg QK057-0500 500 µg (select above) $ 1,995.00 £ 1,475.00 € 1,723.00
Recombinant human FGF-8b protein, 1000 µg QK057-1000 1000 µg (select above) $ 3,100.00 £ 2,300.00 € 2,687.00

Note: prices shown do not include shipping and handling charges.

Qkine company name and logo are the property of Qkine Ltd. UK.

Alternative protein names
AIGF, AIGFKAL6, Androgen-induced growth factor, FGF8, FGF-8, Fibroblast Growth Factor – 8, HBGF-8, Heparin Binding Growth Factor – 8, MGC149376
Species reactivity
human, mouse

Frequently used together with:

Summary

  • High purity human FGF-8b protein (Uniprot: P55075)
  • >98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
  • 22.5 kDa
  • Expressed in E. coli
  • Animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier protein-free
  • Manufactured in Qkine's Cambridge, UK laboratories
  • Lyophilized from HEPES pH 7.5, NaCl, Mannitol
  • Resuspend in water at >100 µg/ml, prepare single use aliquots, add carrier protein if desired and store frozen at -20°C or -80°C
Handling and Storage FAQ

Featured applications

  • Generation of iPSC-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons
  • Generation of induced neuronal cells from reprogrammed fibroblasts
  • Generation of iPSC-derived midbrain organoids
  • Neurite outgrowth from spinal ganglion neurons

Bioactivity

FGF-8b activity is determined using the Promega serum response element luciferase reporter assay (*) in HEK293T cells. EC50 = 4.1 ng/ml (0.18 nM). Cells are treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of FGF-8b for 3 hours. Firefly luciferase activity is measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity. Data from Qk057 lot #104458. *Promega pGL4.33[luc2P/SRE/Hygro] #E1340

Purity

Human/mouse FGF8b Qk057 protein purity lot 104458 graph

FGF-8b (Qk057) migrates as a single band at 22.5 kDa in non-reducing (NR) conditions and upon reduction. Purified recombinant protein (3 µg) was resolved using 15% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptothanol, R) and non-reduced (NR) conditions and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250. Data from Qk057 batch #104458.

Further quality assays

  • Mass spectrometry, single species with expected mass
  • Endotoxin: <0.005 EU/μg protein (below level of detection)
  • Recovery from stock vial: >95%

Qkine animal origin-free FGF-8b produces consistently high bioactivity lot-to-lot

Qkine FGF-8b (Qk057) protein has exceptional lot-to-lot consistency. Bioactivity was determined using a firefly luciferase reporter assay in stably transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated with a serial dilution of independent lots of FGF-8b for 3 hours in triplicate.

Qkine FGF-8b is as biologically active as the comparable alternative supplier protein

Bioactivity was determined using the Promega serum response element luciferase reporter assay in transfected HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine FGF-8b (Qk057, green) or an alternative supplier protein (Supplier B, black) for 3 hours. Firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity.

Protein background

FGF-8b is a heparin-binding protein and an isoform of FGF-8 belonging to a family offibroblast growth factors (FGF)[1]. It was originally discovered as an essential growth factor for the androgen-dependent growth of mouse mammary carcinoma cells [2]. In mouse, there are eight sliced protein isoforms of FGF8 (a-h) whereas in humans, there are four alternate spliced protein isoforms namely FGF-8a, FGF-8b, FGF-8e and FGF-8f. These four FGF8 isoforms (a, b, e and f) are highly conserved between humans and mice. Human and murine FGF-8a and FGF-8b show 100% homology [3] whereas there is a 98% identity with human and murine FGF8e and FGF8f [4].

Human FGF-8b, a monomeric protein has a molecular weight of 22.5kDa with 194 amino acid (aa) residues covering the signal sequence domain, N-terminal domain, FGF domain and proline-rich C terminal sequence. Its three-dimensional structure is composed of 12 beta strands arranged in two beta-sheet and short alpha-helices. The protein contains a conserved heparin-binding domain that is essential for its biological activity.

FGF-8, including the spliced forms, work by binding the FGF receptors (FGFR) to activate the Ras/MAPK signalling pathway, a key pathway that contributes to several cellular processes. In general, the FGF family is involved in broad cellular and biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis [5-8].

Functionally, FGF-8b has been shown to play a major role during prenatal development. It is widely expressed during embryogenesis and is a key player in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions [9]. During gastrulation, it contributes to the organization and induction role and regulates the patterning of organs in the embryos. These organs include the brain, eye, ear, limb and the heart [10-12].

Although, FGF-8 isoforms work in a coordinated and concerted manner, findings have suggested that they also have distinct key roles. FGF-8b has been shown to have the strongest affinity for the receptor and oncogenic capacity. A study using transgenic mice showed FGF-8a expands the midbrain while FGF-8b showed a transformational activity by transforming the midbrain into the cerebellum [13].

FGF-8b and other neurotrophins have been shown to promote neural regeneration. More specifically, FGF-8b has been shown to promote neurite outgrowth in mammalian spiral ganglion neurons (SGN)in vitro[14]. FGF-8b, in combination withShh, a neurotrophic factor, and transcription factors Ascl1 and Nurr1, has been used to generate induced neuronal cells (pan-neuronal and dopaminergic (DA) neurons) by reprogramming embryonic mouse fibroblasts [15]. Additionally, FGF-8b has been used to generate DA neurons from stem cells, includinginduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)and dental pulp stem cells [16-17]. More recently, FGF-8b has been used to generate ventral midbrainorganoidsderived from iPSCs to provide a robust 3D in vitro platform that is suitable for comprehensive DA neuronal studies [18].

Whilst there is a limited expression of FGF-8 and its isoforms in the normal adult, increasing studies have shown the presence of FGF-8 in adult tissues and cells including the reproductive tract, peripheral leukocytes and hematopoietic cells [19-20]. Further functional studies are required to fully delineate the role of FGF-8 and its isoforms in the normal adult.

Background references

  1. Belov AA and Mohammadi M: Molecular mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor signaling in physiology and pathology. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 5:5 (2013).doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015958
  2. Liu R, Huang S, Lei Y, Zhang T, Wang K, Liu B, Nice EC, Xiang R, Xie K, Li J, et al: FGF8 promotes colorectal cancer growth and metastasis by activating YAP1. Oncotarget. 6:935–952 (2015).doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2822
  3. Katoh M and Katoh M: Comparative genomics on FGF8, FGF17, and FGF18 orthologs. Int J Mol Med. 16:493–496 (2005).doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.16.3.493
  4. Gemel J, Gorry M, Ehrlich GD and MacArthur CA: Structure and sequence of human FGF8. Genomics. 35:253–257 (1996).doi: 10.1006/geno.1996.0349
  5. Reuss, Bernhard, and Oliver von Bohlen und Halbach. “Fibroblast growth factors and their receptors in the central nervous system.” Cell and tissue research. 313(2): 139-57 (2003).doi: 10.1007/s00441-003-0756-7
  6. Sternberg PW and Alberola-Ila J: Conspiracy theory: RAS and RAF do not act alone. Cell. 95:447–450 (1998).doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)81612-8
  7. Thisse B, Thisse C. Functions and regulations of fibroblast growth factor signaling during embryonic development Dev Biol. 287(2):390-402 (2005).doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.09.011
  8. Turner N and Grose R: Fibroblast growth factor signalling: From development to cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 10:116–129 (2010).doi: 10.1038/nrc2780
  9. Jaskoll T, Witcher D, Toreno L, Bringas P, Moon AM and Melnick M: FGF8 dose-dependent regulation of embryonic submandibular salivary gland morphogenesis. Dev Biol. 268:457–469 (2004).doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2004.01.004
  10. Olsen SK, Li JY, Bromleigh C, Eliseenkova AV, Ibrahimi OA, Lao Z, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ, Joyner AL and Mohammadi M: Structural basis by which alternative splicing modulates the organizer activity of FGF8 in the brain. Genes Dev. 20:185–198 (2006).doi: 10.1101/gad.1365406
  11. Crossley PH, Minowada G, MacArthur CA, Martin GR. Roles for FGF8 in the induction, initiation, and maintenance of chick limb development. Cell. 84(1):127-136 (1996).doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80999-x
  12. Heikinheimo M, Lawshé A, Shackleford GM, Wilson DB, MacArthur CA. Fgf-8 expression in the post-gastrulation mouse suggests roles in the development of the face, limbs and central nervous system. Mech Dev. 48(2):129-138 (1994).doi: 10.1016/0925-4773(94)90022-1
  13. Leerberg DM, Hopton RE, Draper BW. Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors Function Redundantly During Zebrafish Embryonic Development. Genetics. 212(4):1301-1319 (2019).doi: 10.1534/genetics.119.302345
  14. García-Hernández S, Potashner SJ, Morest DK. Role of fibroblast growth factor 8 in neurite outgrowth from spiral ganglion neurons in vitro. Brain Res. 1529:39-45 (2013).doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.07.030
  15. Oh SI, Park HS, Hwang I, et al. Efficient reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts to neuronal cells including dopaminergic neurons. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014:957548 (2014).doi: 10.1155/2014/957548
  16. Chun SY, Soker S, Jang YJ, Kwon TG, Yoo ES. Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells into Dopaminergic Neuron-like Cells in Vitro. J Korean Med Sci. 31(2):171-177 (2016).doi: 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.2.171
  17. Swistowski A, Peng J, Liu Q, Mali P, Rao MS, Cheng L, Zeng X. Efficient generation of functional dopaminergic neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells under defined conditions. Stem Cells. 1893-904 (2010).doi: 10.1002/stem.499
  18. Sozzi E, Nilsson F, Kajtez J, Parmar M, Fiorenzano A. Generation of Human Ventral Midbrain Organoids Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells. Curr Protoc. 2(9):e555 (2022).doi.org/10.1002/cpz1.555
  19. Payson RA, Wu J, Liu Y, Chiu IM. The human FGF-8 gene localizes on chromosome 10q24 and is subjected to induction by androgen in breast cancer cells. Oncogene.13(1):47-53 (1996).PMID: 8700553
  20. Ghosh AK, Shankar DB, Shackleford GM, et al. Molecular cloning and characterization of human FGF8 alternative messenger RNA forms. Cell Growth Differ. 7(10):1425-1434 (1996).PMID: 8891346