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<h2 data-section-id="pdko8n" data-start="0" data-end="50">What are recombinant proteins for cell culture?</h2>
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Recombinant proteins for cell culture are biologically active growth factors, cytokines, and signaling molecules produced using recombinant DNA technology to control specific cellular functions in vitro. Growth factors such as FGF (fibroblast growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor), and TGF-&beta; (transforming growth factor beta) regulate cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Cytokines including IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 influence immune cell activation, expansion, and function. These proteins are widely used in serum-free and chemically defined media, stem cell and iPSC culture, immune cell expansion, organoid development, hybridoma production, and cell and gene therapy workflows where precise control over cellular signaling is required.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li>Includes cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and signaling proteins to support proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of&nbsp;mammalian cells</li>
<li>Rat, human, and mouse recombinant proteins compatible with translational research models and diverse mammalian cell culture&nbsp;</li>
<li>Optimizing cell metabolic activity, signalling pathways, and experimental reproducibility in vitro using recombinant proteins&nbsp;</li>
<li>Suitable for organoid development, expansion of cells, activation of immune cells, neuronal studies, and protein expression workflow optimization.</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="4x59d8" data-start="1050" data-end="1118">How to choose recombinant proteins, cytokines, and growth factors</h2>
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Quality grade: RUO vs. preclinical vs. GMP
Research-use-only (RUO) proteins are suitable for most academic and industrial research applications. Preclinical-grade proteins provide enhanced documentation and quality control for studies supporting clinical development. GMP-grade proteins are manufactured under controlled quality systems with complete traceability and lot-to-lot bioactivity verification, making them appropriate for cell therapy, gene therapy, and other regulated applications.
Expression system and post-translational modifications
The production system can significantly affect protein activity. HEK293 and other mammalian expression systems preserve native human post-translational modifications such as glycosylation and phosphorylation, which are often necessary for full biological function. Bacterial expression systems such as E. coli may offer lower cost and higher yields but cannot reproduce many of these modifications.
Carrier-free formulation
Carrier-free recombinant proteins are formulated without stabilizing proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA). This eliminates potential experimental interference from carrier proteins and supports serum-free, animal-component-free, and GMP-compatible workflows. Carrier-free formulations are especially important when studying sensitive signaling pathways or developing clinical manufacturing processes.
Endotoxin level and purity
Endotoxins can stimulate inflammatory responses and alter cell behavior, particularly in immune cell cultures. For T-cell expansion, stem cell culture, and other sensitive applications, low-endotoxin or endotoxin-free proteins with documented purity above 95% are preferred to ensure reproducible results.
Stability format: standard vs. thermostable
Standard recombinant proteins gradually lose activity during prolonged incubation at 37&deg;C. Thermostable variants, such as engineered FGF2 formulations, maintain biological activity for longer periods and reduce the need for frequent media supplementation. These products can improve workflow efficiency in stem cell maintenance and differentiation protocols.
Storage and reconstitution
Lyophilized recombinant proteins offer extended shelf life and are typically stored frozen until use. After reconstitution, proteins should be aliquoted into single-use portions whenever possible to minimize repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can reduce activity. Proper storage conditions vary by product and should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
<h2 data-section-id="rxnuuy" data-start="3659" data-end="3704">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4451" data-end="4476">Specifications context</h2>
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Modern recombinant cytokines and growth factors are available in a wide range of formats including carrier-free, low-endotoxin, animal-component-free, and GMP-grade formulations. Many GMP-grade cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 undergo lot-specific bioactivity testing using validated reference standards to ensure consistent biological performance. Mammalian-cell-expressed proteins are increasingly preferred for applications requiring native structure and maximum biological activity.
As of 2026, carrier-free, low-endotoxin recombinant proteins produced in mammalian expression systems have become the preferred choice for stem cell culture, immune cell expansion, organoid development, and advanced biomanufacturing workflows.
For basal media used alongside recombinant proteins, see Classic Media. For additional supplementation reagents, see Cell Culture Supplements &amp; Additives. Browse Mammalian Cell Culture for the broader category.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today and get optimized recombinant proteins for your lab.

Recombinant Proteins

MSDS

Growth Factor-eFlyer

Growth Factors and Cytokines-Brochure

Growth Factors and Cytokines-FAQ

Role of Growth Factors in Cell Differentiation-Poster

Recombinant Human MIP-4 (CCL18)

Z100715 by Applied Biological Materials is E. coli-expressed recombinant human MIP-4 (CCL18 / PARC / AMAC-1 / DC-CK1), an 8 kDa CC chemokine supplied as lyophilized powder. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE; endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg by LAL. Bioactivity confirmed by T cell chemotaxis at 2–40 ng/mL. Available in 10 µg, 100 µg, and 1.0 mg; contact MBP for pricing.

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Recombinant Human MIP-4 (CCL18), 10 µg

Recombinant Human MIP-4 (CCL18), 100 µg

Recombinant Human MIP-4 (CCL18), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human MMP2

Z101815 by Applied Biological Materials is recombinant human MMP2 (Gelatinase A, CLG4A), a 62 kDa zinc-dependent matrix metalloproteinase expressed in E. coli with >95% purity. MMP2 degrades type IV collagen and other ECM components central to tumor invasion and angiogenesis. Lyophilized from Tris/CaCl₂/NaCl/Brij-35; reconstitute in distilled water. Available from MBP for ECM degradation assays, zymography, and invasion research.

Recombinant Human MMP2, 10 µg

Recombinant Human MMP2, 100 µg

Recombinant Human MMP2, 1.0 mg

Flyer

Brochure

Recombinant Human MSTN

Z100255 by ABM (Applied Biological Materials) is Recombinant Human MSTN (Myostatin/GDF-8) — 13 kDa, tag-free, E. coli expression, &gt;95% purity by SDS-PAGE, lyophilized from Tris pH 8.0, 10 µg/unit. ED50 20–40 ng/mL on MPC-11 cells. Research use only.

Recombinant Human MSTN, 10 µg

Recombinant Human MSTN, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human Maspin (SerpinB5)

Recombinant Human Maspin (SerpinB5) Z102505 by ABM—tag-free, E. coli-expressed tumor suppressor, 42.3 kDa, &gt;95% purity, ED50 &lt;0.05 ng/mL. Available from MBP INC.

Recombinant Human Maspin (SerpinB5), 20 µg

Recombinant Human Maspin (SerpinB5), 200 µg

Recombinant Human Maspin (SerpinB5), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human Midkine (NEGF2)

Z102175 by Applied Biological Materials is recombinant human Midkine (NEGF2/MDK), expressed in E. coli and purified to >95% by SDS-PAGE. This 14 kDa heparin-binding growth factor has an ED50 of &lt;0.5 ng/mL in AsPC-1 cell proliferation assays. Endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg; lyophilized from PBS; reconstitute in sterile PBS at 0.1 mg/mL.

Recombinant Human Midkine (NEGF2), 20 µg

Recombinant Human Midkine (NEGF2), 100 µg

Recombinant Human Midkine (NEGF2), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human NAP-2 (PPBP) (CXCL7)

Z100725 by ABM — Recombinant Human NAP-2 (PPBP / CXCL7), 8 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, monocyte chemotaxis at 2.0–40.0 ng/mL. Available in 10 µg and 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human NAP-2 (PPBP) (CXCL7), 10 µg

Recombinant Human NAP-2 (PPBP) (CXCL7), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human NOV

Z102079 by Applied Biological Materials — recombinant human NOV (IGFBP-9/NOVh), E. coli, 36.5 kDa, tag-free, &gt;95% purity. For CCN-family signaling, tumor biology, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis research.

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Recombinant Human NRG1

Recombinant Human NRG1 (Neuregulin-1) Z101625 by ABM — E. coli-expressed, 7 kDa, ED50 &lt;0.3 ng/mL, 2.0×10⁶ units/mg (MCF-7). For ErbB signaling, cardiac biology, and neural crest research. 50 µg.

Recombinant Human NRG1, 50 µg

Recombinant Human NRG1, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human NRG4

Recombinant Human NRG4 (Z100905) by ABM — 7 kDa, E. coli, &gt;95% purity, tag-free. Raji ED50 &lt;0.05 ng/mL. ErbB4-selective neuregulin for adipose, metabolic, and hepatic lipid research.

Recombinant Human NRG4, 50 µg

Recombinant Human NRG4, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human NTF3

Z100745 by ABM — Recombinant Human NTF3 (NT-3), 14 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, ChAT induction confirmed at 10–50 ng/mL. Available in 10 µg and 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human NTF3, 10 µg

Recombinant Human NTF3, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human NTF4, 10 µg

Recombinant Human NTF4 (Neurotrophin-4) Z100935 by ABM—tag-free, E. coli-expressed TrkB ligand, 14 kDa, &gt;95% purity, ED50 10–50 ng/mL (ChAT induction). 10 µg unit. Available from MBP INC.

Recombinant Human Neuritin

Recombinant Human Neuritin (NRN1) Z102185 by ABM — E. coli-expressed, 10.4 kDa disulfide-linked homodimer, PBS pH 7.4. For neurite outgrowth, neuronal arborization, and activity-dependent plasticity research. 20 µg.