Recombinant Mouse TSLP Protein, CF

Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) was originally identified from the conditioned medium of a mouse thymic stromal cell line as a protein that promoted the development of B cells. The activity of mouse TSLP overlaps with, but is distinct from, that of mouse IL-7 (1). Mouse TSLP cDNA encodes a 140 amino acid (aa) residue precursor protein with a 19 aa signal sequence. Within the mature region, there are three potential N-glycosylation sites. The Sf 21 cell expressed recombinant mouseTSLP is likely to be glycosylated at all three sites, as three major glycoforms were visible on SDS-PAGE (Figure 1). Insect cells are known to express relatively simple and homogeneous N-glycans that mainly belong to the high mannose type (2). This recombinant protein was found to be an excellent substrate for N-specific glycosidases such as Endo F3 (Figure 1). The majority of the glycans on recombinant mouse TSLP can be readily removed by Endo F3. However, a small percentage of the glycans is somewhat resistant to Endo F3 digestion, possibly lacking core fucose, as it is known that core fucosylated N-glycans are strongly preferred substrates for Endo F3 digestion (3).