Technote | DKK-1 (Qk068)
The only commercially available animal-free bioactive DKK-1 for reproducible stem cell culture and related applications
Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) is a potent Wnt pathway antagonist used to control cell fate, self-renewal, and differentiation. Recombinant human DKK-1 is used in stem cell differentiation protocols, particularly in neural and osteogenic pathways, and for mimicking dysregulated Wnt signaling seen in cancers.
Qkine has recently developed a fully animal origin-free DKK-1 (Qk068) to support translational and sensitive studies. Using high-purity AOF proteins improves reproducibility by eliminating contamination or off-target effects from trace animal components and co-purifying related proteins naturally secreted by mammalian protein expression systems.
Qkine DKK-1 bioactivity
- Qkine animal origin-free DKK-1 (Qk068) activity, EC50 of 7.8 ng/ml (301 pM), was directly comparable with mammalian-expressed DKK-1, EC50 7.5 ng/ml (291 pM).
- Qkine DKK-1 activity was also compared with a commercially available bacterially expressed DKK-1, which was not biologically active.
Quantitative luciferase reporter assay shows equivalent bioactivity of Qkine AOF DKK-1 and mammalian-expressed DKK-1. HEK293T cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of DKK-1 and a standard concentration of Wnt-3a for 24 hours. Active DKK-1 inhibits Wnt-3a activation of the Wnt-3a pathway. (A) Equivalent bioactivity of Qkine AOF DKK-1 (Qk068, green) and Peprotech (120-30) mammalian-expressed DKK-1 (Supplier B, black). (b) No biological activity was determined using ProSpec (PRO-1566) bacterially expressed DKK-1 (Supplier C, blue). Please note: the supplier does not provide information on the biological activity of this protein.
The comparative bioactivity data demonstrate that Qkine DKK-1 (Qk068) has equivalent bioactivity to the mammalian-expressed DKK-1 from an alternative major supplier. Qkine thus provides thefirst reliable source of high-quality animal origin-free DKK-1 for reproducible culture of stem cells, neuronal cells, osteoblasts and other applications.
Download PDFAll our recombinant proteins are animal-free and come with Bioactivity. Guaranteed.
About our products
Nine-point Quality Commitment
Qkine is committed to manufacturing bioactive proteins of the highest quality to enhance scientific outcomes and improve reproducibility.
Quality policy
Learn more about our quality management system implemented to comply with the requirements of ISO 9001: 2015.
Animal-free
Qkine manufactures recombinant proteins in a dedicated animal-free laboratory located in an ISO 9001: 2015 certified facility.
Contact us
Our science team is here to help, please contact us if you have any questions.
