Anti-GDF9 / Growth Differentiation Factor 9, clone GDF9/4261

1 mg/ml in 1X PBS, BSA free, sodium azide free. GDF9 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. Growth factors synthesized by ovarian somatic cells directly affect oocyte growth and function. GDF9 is expressed in oocytes and is thought to be required for ovarian folliculogenesis. GDF9/4261 can be used in assays to detect oocyte expression and has been shown to neutralize GDF9 biological activity. Protein function: Required for ovarian folliculogenesis. Promotes primordial follicle development. Stimulates granulosa cell proliferation. Promotes cell transition from G0/G1 to S and G2/M phases, through an increase of CCND1 and CCNE1 expression, and RB1 phosphorylation. It regulates STAR expression and cAMP-dependent progesterone release in granulosa and thecal cells. Attenuates the suppressive effects of activin A on STAR expression and progesterone production by increasing the expression of inhibin B. It suppresses FST and FSTL3 production in granulosa-lutein cells. [The UniProt Consortium]