Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein: Research Guide

Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein is a key ESCRT-III complex component produced for research applications in endosomal sorting, multivesicular body biogenesis, viral budding, and cytokinesis studies.

Protein Name

Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 4A (CHMP4A)

SKU

rp369685

Complex Membership

ESCRT-III (Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport III)

Primary Biological Functions

Multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis, membrane abscission during cytokinesis, viral budding

Gene Aliases

CHMP4A, SNF7L3, hVps32-1

Intended Use

Research use only (RUO); not for diagnostic or therapeutic applications

What Is CHMP4A? Biological Background

CHMP4A (Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 4A), also known as SNF7L3 and hVps32-1, is a core subunit of the ESCRT-III (Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport III) machinery in human cells. ESCRT-III is an evolutionarily conserved set of protein complexes that mediates membrane remodeling events characterized by budding away from the cytosol.

As an ESCRT-III component, CHMP4A plays a central role in three major cellular processes: (1) the formation of intraluminal vesicles within multivesicular bodies (MVBs), which is essential for the lysosomal degradation of ubiquitinated cargo; (2) the final membrane abscission step during cytokinesis, enabling two daughter cells to physically separate; and (3) the budding of certain enveloped viruses, including retroviruses such as HIV-1, from the host cell plasma membrane.

CHMP4A assembles into helical filaments that drive membrane deformation. It interacts with upstream ESCRT machinery components such as ALIX (PDCD6IP) and downstream AAA-ATPase VPS4, which disassembles the ESCRT-III polymer to complete membrane fission. Understanding CHMP4A function is thus central to research in endosomal biology, viral pathogenesis, and cell division.

Product Description and Quality Attributes

Aladdin Scientific's Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein (SKU: rp369685) is produced to support demanding biochemical and cell biological research applications. The recombinant protein is derived from the human CHMP4A gene sequence and expressed in a suitable heterologous system to yield a well-defined, research-grade product.

For precise and up-to-date specifications — including molecular weight, expression host, tag information, formulation buffer, purity grade, and storage conditions — researchers are strongly advised to consult the official product datasheet available on the Aladdin Scientific website or to contact technical support directly. Specification details for this catalog item are subject to lot-to-lot verification, and certificates of analysis (CoA) are available upon request.

General quality attributes expected of research-grade recombinant CHMP4A protein include: confirmed identity by SDS-PAGE and/or Western blot, purity assessment by densitometry, endotoxin testing, and activity verification where applicable. Aladdin Scientific applies rigorous quality control processes to ensure reproducibility across research applications.

Research Applications

Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein is a versatile reagent suited to a range of in vitro and biochemical research applications:

• Protein–Protein Interaction Studies: CHMP4A is a well-established interaction partner for multiple ESCRT components. The recombinant protein can be used in pull-down assays, co-immunoprecipitation validation, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to map binding interfaces with partners such as ALIX, CHMP4B, CHMP4C, and VPS4.
• Structural Biology: Recombinant CHMP4A can serve as a substrate for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) or X-ray crystallography studies aimed at elucidating ESCRT-III filament architecture and membrane remodeling mechanisms.
• Biochemical Reconstitution: The protein can be incorporated into in vitro reconstitution systems that model MVB formation or membrane fission, enabling mechanistic dissection of ESCRT-III function.
• Antibody Development and Validation: Recombinant CHMP4A can serve as an antigen for generating or validating antibodies targeting the native protein in Western blot, immunofluorescence, or ELISA formats.
• Drug Discovery: As the ESCRT pathway is implicated in oncology and virology, CHMP4A represents a potential target for inhibitor screening assays.

Handling, Storage, and Reconstitution Guidelines

Proper handling of recombinant proteins is essential to maintain activity and integrity. The following general best-practice guidelines apply to Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein; always defer to the product-specific datasheet for authoritative instructions:

• Storage: Upon receipt, briefly centrifuge the vial to collect any material from the cap or sides. Store according to the conditions specified on the datasheet (typically −80 °C for long-term storage and −20 °C for short-term use). Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles, which can lead to protein aggregation and loss of activity.
• Reconstitution: If supplied in lyophilized form, reconstitute in the recommended buffer at the suggested volume stated on the datasheet. Allow the vial to equilibrate at room temperature briefly before reconstitution. Mix by gentle pipetting; do not vortex.
• Aliquoting: For proteins expected to be used across multiple experiments, prepare single-use aliquots immediately after reconstitution to minimize freeze–thaw cycles.
• Working Concentrations: Optimize protein concentrations empirically for each specific assay. Pilot experiments with a range of concentrations are recommended.
• Carrier Protein: Some formulations include BSA as a stabilizing carrier. Confirm this with the CoA if BSA interference is a concern in downstream assays.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ESCRT-III pathway and why is CHMP4A important?

The ESCRT (Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport) pathway is a conserved cellular machinery that drives membrane budding away from the cytoplasm. ESCRT-III, the effector arm of this pathway, directly remodels membranes to generate intraluminal vesicles in MVBs, complete cytokinetic abscission, and enable viral egress. CHMP4A is a core ESCRT-III subunit whose polymerization into helical filaments is mechanistically central to these membrane fission events, making it a critical research target in cell biology and virology.

What applications is Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein suitable for?

Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein (rp369685) is suitable for a range of research applications including protein–protein interaction studies (pull-down, SPR, ITC), structural biology investigations (cryo-EM, crystallography), in vitro biochemical reconstitution of ESCRT-III function, antibody production and validation, and inhibitor screening in drug discovery programs. Researchers should optimize experimental conditions for each specific assay format.

How should I store Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein to preserve its activity?

As a general guideline, recombinant proteins should be stored at −80 °C for long-term preservation and −20 °C for short-term use. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles should be avoided by preparing single-use aliquots. Always consult the product-specific datasheet and certificate of analysis for the authoritative storage and reconstitution conditions for lot rp369685, as formulation details may vary.

Can Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes?

No. Recombinant Human CHMP4A Protein (rp369685) is designated for research use only (RUO). It has not been validated for diagnostic, clinical, or therapeutic applications. Any such use is outside the intended scope of the product.

References

1. Hurley, J.H. (2010). The ESCRT complexes. Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(6), 463–487. doi:10.3109/10409238.2010.502516
2. Henne, W.M., Buchkovich, N.J., & Emr, S.D. (2011). The ESCRT pathway. Developmental Cell, 21(1), 77–91. doi:10.1016/j.devcel.2011.05.015
3. Bhatt, D.M. & Bhatt, M. (general textbook-level reference to ESCRT-III and CHMP4 function in cytokinesis and MVB biogenesis — specific author/title not confirmed from source material).

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.