CAS# 58-58-2 Puromycin Dihydrochloride Biochemical Reagents

Puromycin dihydrochloride CAS 58-58-2 suitable for cell culture

Puromycin dihydrochloride is a commonly used antibiotic and protein synthesis inhibitor. It is derived from Streptomyces alboniger and is often used in cell culture and molecular biology research.

1. Mechanism of action: Puromycin resembles the 3' end of an aminoacyl-tRNA molecule and can enter the ribosome during translation. Once inside, it binds to the ribosome and causes premature chain termination. This leads to the release of unfinished polypeptide chains and inhibits protein synthesis.

2. Selectivity: Puromycin is effective against both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Its mechanism of action is based on the fundamental process of translation, which is conserved across organisms. However, its potency and susceptibility may vary between different cell types.

3. Use in cell culture: Puromycin dihydrochloride is frequently used as a selection agent in cell culture experiments. Cells that have been genetically modified to express a puromycin resistance gene can survive in the presence of puromycin, while non-resistant cells die. This allows researchers to selectively grow and study specific cell populations.

4. Dosage and handling: Puromycin dihydrochloride is typically used at concentrations ranging from 1-10 μg/ml in cell culture media. It is important to handle puromycin with caution, as it is toxic and can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Proper safety measures and guidelines should be followed when working with this compound.

5. Availability: Puromycin dihydrochloride is commercially available as a powder or as a solution in various concentrations. Researchers can purchase it from suppliers specializing in biochemical reagents or molecular biology products.