Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein: Function & Research Use

Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein is a recombinantly produced form of the human centrosomal protein 19, a key regulator of ciliogenesis that localizes to the distal end of the mother centriole and plays an essential role in the initiation of primary cilia formation.

Protein Name

Centrosomal Protein 19 (CEP19)

Species

Human (Homo sapiens)

Biological Function

Regulates ciliogenesis; localizes to the distal end of the mother centriole to facilitate primary cilia formation

Protein Form

Recombinant, produced using heterologous expression systems

Research Areas

Cilia biology, centrosome biology, cell cycle, ciliopathy research

SKU

rp374820

What Is CEP19? Biological Background

CEP19 (Centrosomal Protein 19) is a relatively small centrosomal protein that localizes specifically to the distal end of the mother centriole in mammalian cells. The mother centriole serves as the basal body during primary cilia formation, and CEP19 has been identified as an important component of the machinery that links the centriole to the process of ciliogenesis.

Primary cilia are microtubule-based sensory organelles found on the surface of most quiescent mammalian cells. They function as signaling hubs for pathways including Hedgehog signaling, PDGF signaling, and mechanosensation. Proper formation of primary cilia requires precise recruitment of specific proteins to the distal end of the mother centriole, a process in which CEP19 participates by interacting with other distal appendage and ciliary entry proteins.

Loss-of-function studies in model organisms and human genetic data have linked CEP19 to ciliopathies — a family of disorders caused by defective cilia structure or function, which can manifest as obesity, retinal dystrophy, kidney disease, and other pleiotropic phenotypes. Understanding CEP19 at the molecular level therefore has both fundamental cell biology relevance and translational significance.

Biochemical Properties of Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein

Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein is produced using established recombinant protein expression technologies, enabling researchers to obtain the protein in a defined, reproducible form suitable for in vitro assays. Recombinant production allows precise control over the protein sequence, tag configuration, and purity grade — all critical considerations when designing biochemical or structural experiments.

CEP19 is a relatively small protein, and its recombinant form is typically produced with an affinity tag (such as His-tag or GST-tag, depending on the specific preparation) to facilitate purification by affinity chromatography. Researchers should consult the product datasheet for the specific tag, molecular weight including the tag contribution, purity grade, and buffer formulation for the Aladdin Scientific catalog item rp374820.

Because CEP19 functions in a protein-complex context at the centriole distal end, the recombinant protein is suitable for interaction studies such as co-immunoprecipitation validation, pull-down assays, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based binding measurements with known interacting partners.

Research Applications

Ciliogenesis and Cilia Biology Research: CEP19 plays a gating role at the mother centriole for ciliary assembly. Recombinant CEP19 protein can be used to dissect the molecular interactions underpinning this process, including binding assays with distal appendage proteins such as CEP83, CEP89, SCLT1, and FBF1, or with RAB family GTPases implicated in ciliary vesicle docking.

Ciliopathy Disease Modeling: Given the association of CEP19 with ciliopathy phenotypes including obesity and metabolic syndrome in mouse models and potentially in humans, recombinant CEP19 protein provides a tool for studying the structural basis of disease-associated mutations. Pull-down or SPR experiments with mutant versus wild-type recombinant protein can clarify how specific amino acid changes affect protein–protein interactions.

Antibody Validation and Immunoassay Development: Purified recombinant CEP19 protein serves as a positive control antigen for validating anti-CEP19 antibodies in Western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence applications. It can also serve as a coating antigen for ELISA-based detection or as an immunogen for custom antibody generation.

Structural and Biophysical Studies: Recombinant protein preparations can be used as input material for biophysical characterization techniques including size-exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS), circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and potentially crystallography or cryo-EM studies aimed at elucidating the three-dimensional structure of CEP19 and its complexes.

Handling, Storage, and Quality Considerations

Storage: Recombinant proteins are generally sensitive to repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can lead to aggregation and loss of biological activity. It is recommended to aliquot the protein into single-use volumes upon first thaw and store aliquots at –80 °C for long-term preservation. Researchers should refer to the specific storage conditions stated on the Aladdin Scientific product datasheet for rp374820, as buffer composition, recommended temperature, and shelf life may vary by lot.

Handling: Work on ice whenever possible to minimize thermal denaturation. Avoid vigorous vortexing; instead, gently mix by pipetting or brief centrifugation. If the protein is supplied lyophilized, reconstitute according to the datasheet instructions, typically using a physiological buffer such as PBS or HEPES-buffered saline supplemented with a carrier protein (e.g., BSA) or glycerol to enhance stability.

Quality Assurance: Each lot of Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein from Aladdin Scientific is subject to quality control testing. Typical QC parameters for recombinant proteins include SDS-PAGE purity assessment, identity confirmation by Western blot or mass spectrometry, and endotoxin testing for cell-based assay suitability. Lot-specific certificates of analysis (CoA) are available and should be reviewed before use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biological function of CEP19?

CEP19 is a centrosomal protein that localizes to the distal end of the mother centriole and is required for the initiation of primary cilia formation. It functions as part of the molecular machinery that recruits ciliary components and facilitates the transition from centriole to basal body, a prerequisite step for ciliogenesis. Mutations or loss of CEP19 have been associated with ciliopathy phenotypes in model organisms.

What applications is Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein suitable for?

Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein is suitable for a range of in vitro applications including protein–protein interaction studies (pull-down, co-IP validation, SPR), antibody validation (Western blot, ELISA), use as an ELISA coating antigen or immunogen for antibody generation, and biophysical characterization of CEP19 structure and interactions. It is not typically used directly in live-cell functional assays without additional formulation considerations.

How should Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein be stored to maintain activity?

To maintain protein integrity and biological activity, aliquot the protein into single-use volumes immediately after the first thaw to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Store aliquots at –80 °C for long-term use. Always consult the product-specific datasheet for rp374820 available from Aladdin Scientific, as exact buffer conditions, stabilizers, and recommended storage temperatures are lot-dependent.

Is Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein suitable for use in cell-based assays?

Cell-based assay suitability depends on endotoxin levels, protein formulation, and the specific assay design. Researchers intending to use recombinant CEP19 in cell-based contexts should confirm the endotoxin specification on the certificate of analysis for rp374820 and verify that the buffer components are compatible with the cell culture system. For most biochemical and binding studies, the protein is well suited for in vitro use.

References

1. Mojarad BA et al. CEP19 cooperates with FBF1 and DVL3 to regulate transition zone entry and ciliogenesis. EMBO J. 2017. [Review flag: author names, journal, year, and title require independent verification against primary literature]
2. Hossain D et al. Centriole-associated protein CEP19 participates in the control of mitotic spindle assembly. [Review flag: specific publication details not confirmed from source material; requires verification]
3. Aladdin Scientific. Recombinant Human CEP19 Protein, SKU rp374820. Product Datasheet.

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