Poly-L-Lysine Hydrobromide

Poly-lysine is a polycation which binds to DNA, red cell membrane and any negatively charged protein.

Poly-L-lysine 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. Can be used as a coating substrate since poly-lysine is a nonspecific attachment factor for cells; however, certain cells can digest poly-lysine. Other uses for poly-lysine have been reported as follows:

1. Conjugation to methotrexate for increased drug transport
2. Microencapsulation of islets
3. Use in simple reproducible procedure for chromosomal preparations from a variety of tissues
4. Immobilation of living cells in biocompatible semipermeable microcapsules
5. Poly-L-Lysine In the preparation of polycationic beads
6. Conjugation to albumin and horseradish peroxidase to enhance cellular uptake

Typically, the effective coating solution concentration for culture dishes will be 0.3 to 0.5% and for histology slides at 0.1%. Recommended as a cell culture substratum when using 0.5 mL of a 0.1 mg/mL solution to coat 25 cm2. Optimal conditions for attachment must be determined for each cell line and application.