Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(7)

Key Documents

S5201

Sigma-Aldrich

Sericin Bombyx mori (silkworm)

Synonym(s):

Bombyx mori Extract, Sericin Protein

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing
All Photos(7)

About This Item

UNSPSC Code:
12352202
NACRES:
NA.75
Pricing and availability is not currently available.

form

powder

Quality Level

200

technique(s)

cell culture | mammalian: suitable

impurities

≤1 EU/mL endotoxin
≤100 CFU/g total microbial count (Bacteria)
≤100 CFU/g total yeast and mold (Fungi)

UniProt accession no.

A8CEQ1
D2WL76

Gene Information

silkworm ... Ser2(100379325) , Ser3(100136948)

General description

Sericin, a water-soluble globular glycoprotein, is derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori. It is rich in serine, aspartic acid, and glycine. Sericin is localized around the fibroin fibers with successive sticky layers, to form the cocoon. It constitutes 20%-30% of the total cocoon mass. Sericin is composed of 18 types of amino acids of which most of them contain strong polar (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino) side groups.

Application

Sericin Bombyx mori (silkworm) has been used:
  • as a standard to evaluate the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the crude sericin extracts
  • as a growth medium supplement to culture to study its effect on the production of infectious Zika virus (ZIKV) particles by C6/36 and Vero cells, compared to serum-free cultures and cultures supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)
  • in the development and optimization of a bio-origami film for skin regeneration

Biochem/physiol Actions

Sericin acts as a gum binder to maintain the intact structure of the cocoon. The strong polar side groups of sericin affect its physical and biological properties. Studies show that sericin exhibits various biological functions such as antioxidant and antityrosinase activities, collagen production that is essential in wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, anti-aging, and antimicrobial actions. It is known to promote stability and prolong the release of controlled drug-releasing biomaterials. Sericin has several beneficial characteristics for culturing mammalian cells.

Features and Benefits

  • Sericin has cryoprotective properties that allow for replacement of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in cryopreservation media.
  • 1% sericin (w/v) along with 0.5% (w/v) maltose, 0.3% (w/v) proline, 0.3% (w/v) glutamine and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is comparable to 90% FBS and 10% DMSO.
  • Sericin can act as a FBS replacement in cell culture and stimulate cell growth.
  • In certain situations, it can inhibit cell death.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Choose from one of the most recent versions:

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number
0000385431
0000381180
0000379594
0000307730
0000381180

Don't see the Right Version?

If you require a particular version, you can look up a specific certificate by the Lot or Batch number.

Search for a COA

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Satoshi Terada et al.
Cytotechnology, 40(1-3), 3-12 (2008-11-13)
Sericin, a constituent of the silkworm cocoon, was added to the culture of four mammalian cell lines: murine hybridoma 2E3-O,human hepatoblastoma HepG2, human epithelial HeLa and human embryonal kidney 293 cells. The proliferation of all cell lineswas accelerated in the
Kozo Tsubouchi et al.
Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 69(2), 403-405 (2005-02-24)
Human skin fibroblasts were cultured on sericin prepared from cocoon shells. The living cell number after 72 h was enhanced to 250% of the no-sericin control. The increase was due to the acceleration of the initial attachment of the cells.
Masahiro Sasaki et al.
Biotechnology and applied biochemistry, 42(Pt 2), 183-188 (2005-06-10)
Cryopreservation is a pivotal process in cellular engineering for creating a continuous source of generated functional cell lines and for the convenience of various medical treatments that involve cell culture. FBS (fetal bovine serum) supplemented with 10% (v/v) DMSO is
Lin Niu et al.
Molecular medicine reports, 23(2) (2020-12-15)
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by an aggressive histology and poor prognosis, with limited treatment options in the clinic. In the present study, the effect of sericin, as an anti‑cancer drug, on TNBC
Ana C Alcalá et al.
Journal of biotechnology, 353, 28-35 (2022-05-28)
Sericin, a silk-derived non-immunogenic protein, has been used to improve cell culture performance by increasing viability, cell concentration, and promoting adherence of several cell lines. Here, we hypothesized that the properties of sericin can enhance the amplification of flaviviruses in
View All Related Papers

Questions

1–3 of 3 Questions  

  1. Do you have the molecular weight of this protein? Which drying method did you use during extraction? Thank you,

    1 answer

    1. The amino acid composition and molecular weight of this product are not determined as part of quality control testing. The isoforms of Sericin demonstrate variations in amino acid profiles and in molecular weights.

      UniProt - Ser3 Molecular weight and sequence https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/A8CEQ1/entry#sequences

      UniProt - Ser2 Molecular weight and sequence https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/D2WL76/entry#sequences

      Silkworm Sericin Properties - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5124675/#B40

      The product's manufacturing method is proprietary.

      Helpful?

  2. Can I adjust the molecular weight of sericin to the molecular weight I want ? Or is there a set molecular weight for the product??

    1 answer

    1. The molecular weight of this product is not determined. The isoforms of sericin exhibit different amino acid profiles and molecular weights. UniProt profiles and relevant publications may provide additional information.

      Helpful?

  3. Are the aminoacidic composition and molecular weight of this protein available?

    1 answer

    1. The amino acid composition and molecular weight of this product are not determined. The isoforms of Sericin demonstrate different amino acid profiles as well as different molecular weights. Please see the links below to access the UniProt profiles as well as a publication that may be helpful.

      UniProt - Ser3 Molecular weight and Sequence
      https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/A8CEQ1/entry#sequences

      UniProt Ser2 Molecular weight and sequence
      https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/D2WL76/entry#sequences

      Silkworm Sericin Properties
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5124675/#B40

      Helpful?

Reviews

No rating value

Active Filters

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service