Poly-D-Lysine Hydrobromide, MP Biomedicals™

When adsorbed to the culture surface, poly-lysine increases the number of positively charged sites available for cell binding. It is a compromise between easier-to-use lower molecular weight products and the extremely viscous higher molecular weights.

Poly-lysine enhances electrostatic interaction between negatively charged ions of the cell membrane and the culture surface. Both the D- and L- forms can be used as a coating substrate, since poly-lysine is a nonspecific attachment factor for cells; however, certain cells can digest it. In this case, poly-D-lysine should be used as the attachment factor so that the cells are not disrupted by excessive uptake of L-lysine.

Poly-D-Lysine Hydrobromide is typically used as a coating substrate for culture dishes, slides, etc. Other uses for poly-lysine have been reported as well:

• Conjugation to methotrexate for increased drug transport
• Microencapsulation of islets
• Use in simple reproducible procedure for chromosomal preparations from a variety of tissues
• Immobilation of living cells in biocompatible semipermeable microcapsules
• In the preparation of polycationic beads
• Conjugation to albumin and horseradish peroxidase to enhance cellular uptake