UNC50, the human homolog of the Caenorhabditis elegans unc-50 gene, is a conserved eukaryotic protein implicated in intracellular trafficking processes . Recombinant Protein UNC-50 refers to the genetically engineered form of this protein, produced in heterologous expression systems for functional and structural studies. This tool has become critical for investigating UNC50's roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) trafficking, and Shiga toxin dynamics .
Recombinant UNC50 is produced using diverse expression systems:
| Expression Host | Tag | Purity | Yield | Key Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEK293T cells | C-Myc/DDK | >80% | >50 µg/mL | Functional assays, co-IP |
| E. coli/Yeast | N-/C-terminal tags | >85% | Lot-dependent | Structural studies |
Purification typically involves affinity chromatography (e.g., myc-tag systems) and validation via SDS-PAGE/Coomassie staining .
EGFR Trafficking: UNC50 knockdown reduces cell surface EGFR levels by 40–60%, impairing G1/S transition and HCC cell proliferation .
Pathway Regulation: Downregulates CCND1, EGF, and MMP7 mRNA, key EGFR targets (p < 0.01 in Hep3B cells) .
CRISPR-edited ΔUNC50 cells show 70% reduction in Stx2 toxin uptake, confirming UNC50’s role in endosomal sorting .
Fluorescence tagging localizes recombinant UNC50 to Golgi apparatus (AKR7A2 marker) and endoplasmic reticulum (calnexin 1 marker) .