Mouse M-CSF

M-CSF, also known as CSF-1, is a four-alpha -helical-bundle cytokine that is the primary regulator of macrophage survival, proliferation and differentiation. M-CSF protein is also essential for the survival and proliferation of osteoclast progenitors. Sources of M-CSF include fibroblasts, activated macrophages, endometrial secretory epithelium, bone marrow stromal cells and activated endothelial cells. The M-CSF receptor (c-fms) transduces its pleotropic effects and mediates its endocytosis. M-CSF mRNAs of various sizes occur. Full length mouse M-CSF transcripts encode a 520 amino acid (aa) type I transmembrane (TM) protein with a 462 aa extracellular region, a 21 aa TM domain, and a 37 aa cytoplasmic tail that forms a 140 kDa covalent dimer (1-5).