hMidkine
Recombinant, E. Coli
Midkine is a heparin-binding multifunctional protein that has anti-apoptotic properties and promotes cell migration and neurite process formation.
Midkine is induced by tissue injury, and is believed to participate in tissue repair.
Midkine has various activities related to neurogenesis; it enhances the survival of embryonic neurons, migration of neurons, neurite outgrowth and clustering of acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.
Midkine has in vitro neurotrophic activity for dorsal root ganglia and midbrain dopaminergic neurons.
Midkine activities in tissue repair processes include enhanced migration of macrophages, neutrophils, and osteoblasts.
Midkine promotes fibrinolytic activity of endothelial cells and synthesis of collagens and glycosaminoglycans in fibroblasts.
n the adult, Midkine expression is restricted to certain tissues. However, protein expression is induced during inflammation, repair, and oncogenesis. High expression of Midkine is observed in a variety of human carcinomas (gastric, colon, pancreatic, lung, breast, urinary bladder). Serum or urinary levels of truncated Midkine mRNA, with a high specificity for tumor tissues may be used as tumor markers.
Neurotrophic Factors, Heparin-Binding Growth Factors