General description
Fetuin from fetal bovine serum is a plasma glycoprotein.[1] It is a 64 kDa glycoprotein, which is produced by the liver and adipose tissue.[2]
A glycoprotein derived from FBS that is used as Fetuin has been used at a concentration of 500 mg/ml to supplement serum free F12 medium (along with insulin, transferrin and 2-mercaptoethanol) in culture of embryonal carcinoma cells.
Application
Fetuin from fetal bovine serum has been used:
as a substrate to determine neuraminidase activity[3]
to validate the specificity of sialidases[4]
to stabilize m-calpain[5]
Biochem/physiol Actions
Fetuin acts as an inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. It modulates bone remodeling and calcium metabolism.[6] Fetuin regulates vascular calcification, insulin resistance, protease activity control, keratinocytes migration and breast tumor cell proliferative signaling. It functions as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases.[7] Fetuin exhibits anti-inflammatory property.[2]
Preparation Note
Prepared by ammonium sulfate fractionation of fetal bovine serum by the method of Pederson, K.O., J. Phys. and Colloid Chem., 51, 164 (1947).

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