Poly-L-Lysine, MW >=70,000, 50mg

Poly-lysine is a polycation which binds to DNA, red cell membrane and any negatively charged protein. It is typically used as a coating substrate for culture dishes, slides, etc. It enhances electrostatic interaction between negatively charged ions of the cell membrane and the culture surface. When adsorbed to the culture surface, poly-lysine increases the number of positively charged sites available for cell binding. Poly-L-lysine is a positively charged amino acid polymer with approximately one HBr per lysine residue. The hydrobromide allows the poly-L-lysine to be in a crystalline form soluble in water. A small amount of product may be found in the beta structure because the HBr interferes with hydrogen bonding between amino and either the carboxyl groups or N or O containing moieties. Poly-L-lysine is a nonspecific attachment factor for cells useful in promoting cell adhesion to solid substrates by enhancing electrostatic interaction between negatively charged ions of the cell membrane and the culture surface. When it is absorbed to the cell culture surface, poly-L-lysine functions to increase the number of positively charged sites available for cell binding. With cells that can digest poly-L-lysine, poly-D-lysine should be used as the attachment factor. Poly-L-Lysine is typically used as a coating substrate for culture dishes, slides, etc. It can be used in conjugation to methotrexate for increased drug transport. For Microencapsulation of islets. It is also use in simple reproducible procedure for chromosomal preparations from a variety of tissues. For immobilation of living cells in biocompatible semipermeable microcapsules. In the preparation of polycationic beads. Conjugation to albumin and horseradish peroxidase to enhance cellular uptake. Poly-lysine with mol. wt. >70,000 is useful in promoting cell adhesion to solid substrates. All molecular weights are calculated from the viscosity of the parent compound Poly-epsilon-Z-L-Lysine. Stock Solution for coating of culture dishes/slides: Dissolve 10 mg poly-L-lysine in 1 mL sterile, deionized water. This creates a 1% solution. Effective coating solution concentration for culture dishes will be 0.3 to 0.5% and for histology slides at 0.1%.