Description

Biotrend has developed a fluorescent CF™488 labeled Fetuin for detection in histochemical and in vivo application.

Additional Information:

Fetuin is a liver-produced negative acute phase protein that accumulates in bone mineralized matrix. Fetuin homologs have been identified in several species including rat, sheep, pig, rabbit, guinea pig, cattle, mouse and human. Fetuin is an abundant plasma protein with multiple ligands. Accordingly, multiple physiological roles for these homologs have been suggested, including ability to bind to hydroxyapatite crystals. Fetuin-A (alpha2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein; AHSG) is an important circulating inhibitor of calcification in vivo, and is down regulated during the acute-phase response. Sera from patients on long-term dialysis with low AHSG concentrations showed impaired ex-vivo capacity to inhibit calcium phosphate precipitation. Fetuin-A deficient mice maintained against the genetic backgound DBA/2 develop widespread soft tissue calcification. Fetuin-A deficient mice have shorter femurs due to premature closure of the growth plate. Fetuin may influence the resolution of inflammation by modulating the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Fetuin has been shown to inhibit the tyrosine kinase (TK) activity of the insulin receptor (IR), and to block TGF-beta-dependent signaling in osteoblastic cells.