Recombinant human Endocan/ESM1 protein

ESM1, also known as endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 isoform a, is a secreted cysteine-rich dermatan sulfate proteoglycan. This protein primarily expressed by endothelial cells within the vascular capillary network in the alveolar walls of the lung and also at lower level in kidney. The expression of it is upregulated by TNF-alpha, IL-beta or lipopolysaccharide and down-regulated by IFN-gamma. It plays roles on angiogenesis, sprouting, and may have potent implications in lung endothelial cell-leukocyte interaction. Also, this protein has dermatan sulfate (DS) that is covalently attached to serine 137. It binds using DS chain to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to enhance HGF mitogenic activity. Genetically engineered cells overexpressing ESM1 has been shown to induce tumor formation, suggesting that it may be involved in the pathophysiology of tumor growth in vivo. Recombinant human ESM1, fused to His-tag at C-terminus, was expressed in insect cell and purified by using conventional chromatography techniques.