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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>
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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 Nodal

Recombinant human Nodal (Z102485) by ABM — 13.1 kDa, E. coli, &gt;95% purity, tag-free. Induces Smad2 phosphorylation at 100 ng/mL for TGF-beta pathway and embryogenesis research.

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Recombinant Human Noggin (NOG)

Recombinant Human Noggin (NOG) Z100925 by ABM — E. coli-expressed homodimer, 23 kDa, ED50 ≤20 ng/mL (ATDC alkaline phosphatase). BMP antagonist for stem cell, chondrogenesis, and embryonic patterning research. 20 µg or 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human Noggin (NOG), 20 µg

Recombinant Human Noggin (NOG), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human OPG (TNFRSF11B)

Recombinant Human OPG (TNFRSF11B) Z101775 by ABM — E. coli-expressed, 20 kDa, PBS pH 7.2 formulation. For RANKL inhibition, osteoclastogenesis, and bone biology research. 50 µg or 1.0 mg.

Recombinant Human OPG (TNFRSF11B), 50 µg

Recombinant Human OPG (TNFRSF11B), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human OSM

Z100755 by Applied Biological Materials is E. coli-expressed recombinant human Oncostatin M (OSM / MGC20461), an IL-6 family cytokine supplied as lyophilized powder. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE; endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg by LAL. Bioactivity confirmed by dose-dependent TF-1 cell proliferation. Contact MBP for pack sizes and pricing.

Recombinant Human OSM, 10 µg

Recombinant Human OSM, 200 µg

Recombinant Human OSM, 1.0 mg

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Recombinant Human PDGFB

Z100365 by ABM (Applied Biological Materials) is Recombinant Human PDGFA — 14.5 kDa tag-free disulfide-linked homodimer, E. coli expression, &gt;95% purity by SDS-PAGE, 10 µg/unit. ED50 ≤5.0 ng/mL on mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Research use only.

Recombinant Human PDGFA, 10 µg

Recombinant Human PDGFA, 50 µg

Recombinant Human PDGFA, 1.0 mg

Z100355 by ABM — recombinant human PDGFB, tag-free, E. coli-expressed, 16 kDa, &gt;95% pure, lyophilized in PBS, ED50 &lt;0.5 ng/mL in NIH 3T3 cells. For proliferation and angiogenesis research.

Recombinant Human PDGFB, 10 µg

Recombinant Human PDGFB, 500 µg

Recombinant Human PDGFB, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human PDGFC, 20 µg

Recombinant Human PDGFC 20 µg (Z101785) by ABM — 12.5 kDa E. coli-expressed PDGFRα ligand (FALLOTEIN/SCDGF), >95% pure, <1.0 EU/µg endotoxin. Order from MBP INC.

Recombinant Human PTH

Z100775 by Applied Biological Materials is a recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH 1-84) expressed in E. coli, supplied lyophilized at &gt;97% purity with endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg. Full-length PTH activates PTH1R to stimulate cAMP accumulation, bone remodeling, and renal calcium transport, serving as the standard reagent for receptor-binding assays, osteoblast biology, and calcium homeostasis research.

Recombinant Human PTH, 100 µg

Recombinant Human PTH, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human PTH, 2.0 mg

Recombinant Human PTHLH/PTHrP

Z103135 by Applied Biological Materials is recombinant human PTHLH/PTHrP (Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein), expressed in E. coli with &gt;95% purity by SDS-PAGE and an ED50 of &lt;0.05 ng/mL in endometrial stromal cell proliferation assays. This 10.2 kDa tag-free lyophilized protein supports bone remodeling, hypercalcemia of malignancy, and chondrocyte biology research.

Recombinant Human PTHLH/PTHrP, 20 µg

Recombinant Human PTHLH/PTHrP, 100 µg

Recombinant Human PTHLH/PTHrP, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human Persephin (PSPN)

Recombinant Human Persephin (Z102495) by ABM. PSPN, 10.7 kDa, >95% purity, E. coli. ED50 4.0–16.0 ng/mL. GDNF family neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neuron survival research.

Recombinant Human Persephin (PSPN), 20 µg

Recombinant Human Persephin (PSPN), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human PlGF

Recombinant Human PlGF (Placental Growth Factor), catalog Z102615 by ABM. E. coli-expressed, 15 kDa, >95% purity, lyophilized. VEGF-family protein signaling via VEGFR-1/FLT-1. Endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg.

Recombinant Human PlGF, 25 µg

Recombinant Human PlGF, 4 x 25 µg (Z102615)

Recombinant Human PlGF, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human Prolactin (PRL)

Z102145 by Applied Biological Materials is recombinant human Prolactin (PRL), expressed in E. coli and purified to >95% by SDS-PAGE. This 23 kDa tag-free hormone stimulates rat Nb2-11 cell proliferation at 0.1–1.0 ng/mL. Endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg; lyophilized from PBS; reconstitute in sterile distilled water at ≥100 µg/mL.