What Is Recombinant Human Argonaute-2 Protein?

Recombinant Human Argonaute-2 (AGO2, also known as EIF2C2) is a member of the highly conserved Argonaute protein family. AGO2 is the sole catalytically active Argonaute protein in humans, functioning as the core effector component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). It binds small non-coding RNAs — including microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) — and uses them as guides to recognize complementary messenger RNA (mRNA) targets. Upon target recognition, AGO2 can endonucleolytically cleave target mRNAs through its PIWI domain, which structurally resembles RNase H. The protein also mediates translational repression and mRNA destabilization when complementarity is partial. AGO2 is essential for development, differentiation, and the cellular response to stress.

Key Research Applications of AGO2 Recombinant Protein

Recombinant Human Argonaute-2 Protein supports a broad range of biochemical and cell-free research applications:

• RISC Assembly and Activity Assays: AGO2 is routinely used to reconstitute RISC in vitro, enabling dissection of the mechanisms by which small RNAs are loaded and activated.
• miRNA and siRNA Functional Studies: Researchers use recombinant AGO2 to investigate how guide strand selection, seed sequence pairing, and target complementarity govern silencing efficiency.
• Protein–RNA Interaction Studies: AGO2 serves as a bait protein in pull-down assays, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) validation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) to characterize small RNA binding.
• Structural Biology: Purified AGO2 is used in crystallography and cryo-EM studies to resolve the structural basis of RISC-mediated target cleavage.
• Drug Discovery and RNAi Therapeutics Research: Recombinant AGO2 enables screening for molecules that modulate RISC activity, supporting the development of RNAi-based therapeutic strategies.

Storage, Handling, and Quality Considerations

Proper handling of recombinant proteins is critical to preserving activity and experimental reproducibility. Although specific storage conditions for rp365016 should be confirmed in the product datasheet, the following general guidelines apply to recombinant Argonaute-2 protein:

• Storage Temperature: Recombinant AGO2 is typically stored at −70 °C or −80 °C for long-term preservation. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided as they can reduce protein integrity and slicer activity.
• Aliquoting: Upon receipt, it is recommended to prepare single-use aliquots to minimize freeze-thaw degradation.
• Buffer Compatibility: Maintain the protein in the supplied formulation buffer; consult the datasheet before buffer exchange or dilution.
• Quality Assurance: Lot-specific quality control data, including purity assessment by SDS-PAGE and functional activity data, are available upon request from Aladdin Scientific.

Always refer to the official product datasheet for rp365016 for authoritative storage and handling instructions.

Ordering and Technical Support

Recombinant Human Argonaute-2 Protein is available from Aladdin Scientific under SKU rp365016. When placing an order or requesting technical information, the following guidance applies:

• Quotations and Bulk Orders: Contact the Aladdin Scientific sales team for volume pricing, custom formulations, or bulk quantity requirements.
• Technical Inquiries: For application-specific guidance, protein activity verification protocols, or compatibility questions, reach out to Aladdin Scientific technical support.
• Documentation: Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (CoA), and product datasheets are available on the Aladdin Scientific website or upon request.
• Returns and Refunds: Please consult Aladdin Scientific's returns and refund policy for recombinant proteins before use; opened vials may not be eligible for return.