Analysis Note

The bioactivity of FGF-Basic was measured in a fluorometric assay using the redox sensitive dye, Resazurin.

Application

Fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-Basic) is required for the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells in culture, and various other stem cell lines, such as mesenchymal stem (stroma) cells (MSC).

General description

Fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-Basic) is found in basement membranes and sub-endothelial extracellular matrix. FGF-Basic is induced early in the development of the embryo where it is necessary (but not sufficient) for pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESC) and lineage defined stem cells; wherein it functions to support proliferation and inhibit differentiation. Self-renewal of hESC depends upon activation of the Activin/Nodal/Smad2,3 branch and suppression of the BMP/GDF/Smad5 branch of the TGFβ-family cell signaling program. FGF-Basic is a competence factor for Nodal support of pluripotency. Activin-A is necessary and sufficient to maintain stemness. It induces the expression of both Nodal and FGF-Basic in human ES cells.

Physical form

Lyophilized from 0.2 µm filtered solution in 20 mM Tris and 1 M NaCl, pH 7.0, containing 50 µg bovine serum albumin per 1 µg BFGF.