Hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata (keyhole limpet)

Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is a strong and well known immune-stimulant in both experimental animals and humans. It has been used as a hapten carrier protein to enhance antigen-specific T cell priming and is known to stimulate a CD4⁺ T-cell response. Hemocyanins stimulate Th1 reactions without known side effects, which make them ideal for long-term continuous treatment of cancer.

Gastropod hemocyanins are massive glycoproteins (4 to 8 MDa) designed by an intricate arrangement of 10 subunits that are self-assembled into hollow cylinders 35 nm in diameter.

Hemocyanin is a high molecular weight copper containing glycoprotein. It reversibly binds oxygen and forms the extra-cellular respiratory protein of mollusks. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is filtered from the hemolymph of Megathura crenulata, also called the giant keyhole limpet. It is native to the southern California coast and Mexico.

Lyophilized with stabilizing buffer

Reconstitute with deionized water to a KLH concentration of 10 mg/mL, to yield an opalescent solution in 31 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 0.46 M NaCl, 2% PVP and 41 mM sucrose.
Reconstituted protein solution may be stored up to 2 months at −20 °C.