Follistatin 344 (95%) (1mg)

What is Follistatin 344 (95%) (1mg)?

Follistatin 344 (95%) (1 mg) is a synthetic research protein/peptide reagent commonly used in muscle biology and performance-related research. It corresponds to a 344–amino-acid human follistatin isoform and helps researchers study how certain growth factors in the TGF-β family behave outside the cell.

Follistatin 344 binds to signaling proteins such as activin A and myostatin, which reduces how much of these ligands can reach their receptors. Researchers use this “ligand-binding” effect to observe changes in cell signaling, gene expression, and downstream biology—especially pathways linked to SMAD2/3 signaling.

Because it can dampen activin/myostatin activity, Follistatin 344 (95%) appears in studies of skeletal muscle differentiation, tissue remodeling, fibrosis, oncology models, liver biology, and developmental pathways. It is used strictly as a mechanistic research tool, not as a therapy or supplement.

Product Specifications

• Synonyms: Follistatin (FST); Activin-Binding Protein​​
• Molecular Weight: 3780 g/mol
• Purity: ≥95% peptide content (HPLC); lot‑specific purity and identity are confirmed by chromatographic and mass‑spectrometric analyses on the Certificate of Analysis
• Packaging Format: 1 mg Follistatin 344 per vial, supplied as a lyophilized (freeze‑dried) powder in a sealed research‑grade container​
• Storage Conditions: Store at −20°C or below, protected from light and moisture; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles​
• Intended Use: For Laboratory Research Use Only (not for human or veterinary use)

Key Characteristics of Follistatin 344 (95%) (1mg)

• Human Follistatin Isoform–based Reagent: Matches a 344–amino-acid human follistatin form, a secreted protein known for binding several TGF-β family ligands—especially activins.
• High-Affinity Activin and Myostatin Binding: Forms stable complexes with activin A and also binds myostatin (GDF-8) and related ligands, which blocks receptor binding and reduces signaling.
• Tool for SMAD2/3 and Downstream Signaling Research: By limiting ligand–receptor interaction, it helps researchers study changes in SMAD2/3 activation and downstream transcription programs in muscle, liver, and other tissues.
• Muscle Growth and Strength–Related Models: Research uses follistatin-based tools to explore how inhibiting myostatin/activin pathways can affect muscle differentiation, fiber characteristics, and strength-related endpoints in preclinical systems.
• Applications in Fibrosis, Oncology, and Liver Biology: Studies examine the activin–follistatin balance in models of liver fibrosis, tissue scarring, and tumor cell behavior, where activin signaling can influence growth and remodeling pathways.
• Research‑Grade, 95% Purity Presentation: Supports smaller studies, pilot work, and method development while providing a defined purity level appropriate for controlled assays.
• Lyophilized Format for Stability: Freeze-dried powder supports storage and transport stability until reconstitution for experimental use.

How Follistatin 344 (95%) (1mg) Supports Research

Researchers mainly use Follistatin 344 to reduce activin and myostatin signaling in controlled models. When it binds these ligands outside the cell, it lowers their ability to activate receptors such as ActRIIA and ActRIIB, which can shift SMAD2/3 signaling and gene expression.

In skeletal muscle studies, researchers use follistatin-based reagents to investigate how reduced activin/myostatin signaling influences muscle differentiation and growth-related readouts in preclinical systems. In liver and fibrosis research, investigators study the same pathway balance for links to stellate-cell activity, cell survival, and tissue remodeling markers. Developmental and oncology models also use follistatin tools to explore how activin-linked signaling shapes cell growth, migration, and patterning.

Across all applications, Follistatin 344 functions as a pathway probe rather than a therapeutic agent.

Research Applications & Usage Information

Follistatin 344 (95%) (1mg) is commonly included in laboratory studies focused on:

• Myostatin/Activin Signaling and Muscle Biology: Neutralize ligands in muscle cell and animal models to examine differentiation, hypertrophy-related endpoints, and pathway-specific effects.
• TGF‑β/SMAD Pathway Mapping: Measuring how reduced activin availability changes SMAD2/3 activation, transcriptional outputs, and signaling cross-talk within the broader TGF-β superfamily.
• Tissue Regeneration and Remodeling Models: Studying in extracellular-matrix markers, inflammatory signals, and remodeling responses in muscle, liver, and other tissues.
• Oncology and Tumor‑Biology Research: Explored how shifts in activin–follistatin balance relate to tumor-cell behaviors such as proliferation, invasion, and survival in defined models.
• Developmental and Embryology Studies: Modeled ligand antagonism in embryology systems where activin/BMP signaling influences early development and organ formation.
• Endocrine and Metabolic Pathway Investigations: Investigated how changes in activin-linked signaling relate to endocrine readouts in preclinical systems (mechanistic work only).

In all cases, the outcomes observed are specific to the experimental systems used and should not be extrapolated to clinical practice. The peptide is a research‑only reagent intended for in‑vitro, ex‑vivo, and animal‑model studies under controlled conditions.

Handling and Storage Recommendations

To preserve the quality and reproducibility of Follistatin 344 (95%) (1mg):

• Keep sealed vials at −20 °C or colder, dry, and protected from light.
• Let the sealed vial reach room temperature to reduce condensation.
• Store 2-8 °C (short-term) or −20 °C (long-term) per your lab’s validated stability practices.
• Use standard PPE and dispose of materials according to institutional chemical/biohazard waste procedures.

Research Use Only Notice

This product is intended for laboratory research use only and is not approved for human or veterinary use. It is not intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical applications. Any reference to biological activity or potential effects is based solely on preclinical or in-vitro findings and should not be interpreted as validated clinical outcomes. Researchers are responsible for ensuring proper handling, storage, and disposal in accordance with institutional, federal, and international guidelines.

References

1. Lee SJ, McPherron AC. Regulation of myostatin activity and muscle growth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2001;98(16):9306-9311. doi:10.1073/pnas.151270098
2. Harrington AE, Morris‐Triggs SA, Ruotolo BT, Robinson CV, Ohnuma S, Hyvönen M. Structural basis for the inhibition of activin signalling by follistatin. The EMBO Journal. 2006;25(5):1035-1045. doi:10.1038/sj.emboj.7601000
3. Rodino‐Klapac LR, Haidet AM, Kota J, Handy C, Kaspar BK, Mendell JR. Inhibition of myostatin with emphasis on follistatin as a therapy for muscle disease. Muscle & Nerve. 2009;39(3):283-296. doi:10.1002/mus.21244
4. Zabkiewicz C, Resaul J, Hargest R, Jiang WG, Ye L. Increased Expression of Follistatin in Breast Cancer Reduces Invasiveness and Clinically Correlates with Better Survival. Cancer Genomics & Proteomics. 2017;14(4):241-251. doi:10.21873/cgp.20035
5. Schumann C, Nguyen DX, Norgard M, et al. Increasing lean muscle mass in mice via nanoparticle-mediated hepatic delivery of follistatin mRNA. Theranostics. 2018;8(19):5276-5288. doi:10.7150/thno.27847