Follistatin 344: research overview
What is follistatin 344
Follistatin 344 is an isoform of the glycoprotein follistatin, a protein that occurs naturally in mammals. It was first described as a factor that suppresses FSH secretion, which is where the name comes from. Follistatin exists in several isoforms that differ in length, and the 344 isoform is the longest form of the protein. In addition to follistatin-like (FS) domains, it carries a longer C-terminal tail rich in basic residues. This tail mediates binding to the cell surface and to heparan sulfate proteoglycans.
Mechanism described in research
Follistatin 344 acts as an antagonist of proteins from the TGF-beta family. Two of its ligands are particularly well described:
- activin, a regulator of hormone secretion and cell differentiation,
- myostatin (GDF-8), a negative regulator of muscle mass.
By binding these molecules, follistatin 344 limits their signalling through type II receptors and the SMAD2/3 pathway. In vitro studies show that this inhibition affects the proliferation and differentiation of muscle cells. Animal models have described how this pathway influences muscle mass and muscle structure. This work is usually done on cell cultures, where results are compared with a control group that lacks the protein. This separates the effect of follistatin itself from other factors in the system.
Research areas
- skeletal muscle biology and the role of myostatin,
- regulation of the hormonal axis and FSH secretion,
- cell differentiation and tissue regeneration in in vitro cultures,
- animal models of muscle mass loss,
- TGF-beta signalling in basic research.
Product specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Follistatin 344 (follistatin 344) |
| Category | GH axis |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | at least 99% (HPLC) |
| Mass confirmation | MS analysis |
| Available sizes | 1 mg |
| Storage | -20 °C |
Working in the laboratory
Storage
- Keep the lyophilized powder at -20 °C, away from light and moisture.
- Once reconstituted, keep the solution at 2-8 °C.
- Avoid repeated freezing and thawing, and divide the solution into aliquots.
Dissolving
The lyophilized powder dissolves in water or in dilute acetic acid. Water is a neutral solvent that suits most protocols. Acetic acid helps dissolve the basic fragment at the C-terminus of this protein. Always match the choice of solvent to your research protocol.
Batch quality
Every batch goes through two control steps:
- HPLC confirms purity of at least 99%,
- MS confirms the molecular mass.
You can read more about our procedures on the quality page.
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Browse the full range in the GH axis category. Calculate solution concentrations in our concentration calculator.
