Pegylated Recombinant Human Interferon-alpha 2b (PEG-IFN¦Á2b)
(Cat. No.: C007)


Background:
        At least 23 different variants of Interferon-alpha are known. The individual proteins have molecular masses between 19-26 kDa and consist of proteins with lengths of 156-166 and 172 amino acids. All IFN-alpha subtypes possess a common conserved sequence region between amino acid positions 115-151 while the amino-terminal ends are variable. Many IFN-alpha subtypes differ in their sequences at only one or two positions. Naturally occurring variants also include proteins truncated by 10 amino acids at the carboxyl-terminal end.

Description:
        Recombinant Human Interferon alpha-2b produced in E. coli is a single, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain containing 165 amino acids and having a molecular mass of 19269 Dalton. Pegylated IFN alpha-2b is manufactured by attaching a 40KD NHS-mPEG to the primary amino acid of IFN alpha-2b.

Quality Control:
        Biological Activity: The specific activity as determined in a viral resistance assay using VSV-WISH cells was found to be 1.0 x 106 IU/mg.
        Purity: Greater than 98.0% as determined by:
                    (a) Analysis by RP-HPLC.
                    (b) Anion-exchange FPLC.
                    (c) Analysis by reducing and non-reducing SDS-PAGE Silver Stained gel.
        Amino acid sequence: The sequence of the first five N-terminal amino acids was determined and was found to be Met-Cys-Asp-Leu-Pro.
        Endotoxin: Less than 0.1 ng/µg (IEU/µg) of PEG-IFN alpha-2b.

Formulation: Lyophilized from a (0.5mg/ml) solution in containing 8.8mg sodium chloride, 0.4mg sodium acetate and 1.0mg acetate acid buffer.

Storage: Lyophilized PEG-IFN alpha-2b although stable at room temperature for 3 weeks, should be stored desiccated below -18oC. Upon reconstitution PEG-IFN alpha-2b should be stored at 4oC between 2-7 days and for future use below -18oC. For long-term storage it is recommended to add a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA).
        Please avoid freeze-thaw cycles.

Reconstitution: It is recommended to reconstitute the lyophilized PEG-IFN alpha-2b in sterile 18M¦¸-cm H2O not less than 100µg/ml, which can then be further diluted to other aqueous solutions.