Blasticidin

Selection antibiotic for bacteria and mammalian cells – Endotoxin-tested

Blasticidin is a high-quality selective antibiotic for bacteria and eukaryotic cells, provided as a sterile, cell culture-tested solution or powder. Blasticidin is a peptidyl nucleoside antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces griseochromogenes. It inhibits protein synthesis by interfering with the peptide-bond formation in the ribosomal machinery, in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
 

Resistance to blasticidin is conferred by various resistance genes: bsr from Bacillus cereus encoding a blasticidin deaminase [1], bls from Streptoverticillum sp encoding a blasticidin acetyltransferase [2], BSD from Aspergillus terreus encoding a blasticidin deaminase [3]. Since blasticidin is active in both bacteria and mammalian cell lines, vectors can be designed that carry only one drug resistance marker for selection.

Selection is usually achieved within 7 days with the recommended working concentrations are 1 - 10 μg/ml for selection in mammalian cells and 25 - 100 μg/ml for selection in E. coli. 

Key features

• Produced in our own facilities
• Each lot thoroughly tested to ensure lot-to-lot reproducibility
• Potency validated in blasticidin-sensitive and blasticidin-resistant mammalian cell lines
• Absence of long-term effects confirmed in blasticidin-resistant cells

All InvivoGen products are for research use only, and not for human or veterinary use.

References:

1. Izumi M. et al., 1991. Blasticidin S-resistance gene (bsr): A novel selectable marker for mammalian cells. Exp.Cell Res.197:229-33.
2. Perez-Gonalez J. et al., 1990. Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding a blasticidin S acetyltransferase from Streptoverticillum sp. Gene. 86:129-34. 
3. Kimura M. et al., 1994. Blasticidin S deaminase gene from Aspergillus terreus (BSD): a new drug resistance gene for transfection of mammalian cells. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1219:653-9.

Figures

Blasticidin by InvivoGen

Specifications

Appearance (form): Liquid or powder

Appearance (color): Colorless (solution), white (powder)

Product concentration: 10 mg/ml (solution)

Buffer: HEPES

pH: 7.1 - 7.5 (solution)

Purity: ≥ 95% (HPLC)

Sterility: 0.2 um filter sterilized (solution)

Endotoxin level: < 1 EU/mg

Working concentration: 1 - 10 μg/ml (mammalian cells), 25 - 100 μg/ml (E. coli)

Quality Control: Cell-culture tested

Structure:

Contents

Blasticidin hydrochloride is supplied as a sterile filtered solution at 10 mg/ml in HEPES buffer.

This product is available in four pack sizes:

• ant-bl-05: 5 x 1 ml (50 mg)
• ant-bl-1: 10 x 1 ml (100 mg)
• ant-bl-5: 50 x 1 ml (500 mg)
• ant-bl-5b: 1 x 50ml (500 mg)

Blasticidin hydrochloride is also supplied as a powder:

• ant-bl-10p: 1 g (powder)

Blasticidin is shipped at room temperature.
Upon receipt it should be stored at 4°C or -20°C.
Blasticidin is a harmful compound. Refer to safety data sheet for handling instructions.

FAQs

What is the preferred storage method for Blasticidin?
Blasticidin is shipped at room temperature. Upon receipt, it should be stored at 4°C for short term storage or -20°C for long term storage. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The expiry date is specified on the product label.
Once Blasticidin solution opened, it remains stable for 1 year at -20°C providing you avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and it can be kept at 4°C for 3 months provided it is kept in sterile conditions.
Specifically, for Blasticidin powder, the stock solution must be at a concentration of 10 mg/ml and aliquots can be kept for 1 year at -20°C. Please note that we cannot guarantee the stability of the product if aliquots are made at less than 10 mg/ml. Importantly, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

What is the selection concentration of Blasticidin in mammalian cells?
The working concentration of Blasticidin for mammalian cell lines varies between 1 - 10 μg/ml, with a few reported cases of up to 30 μg/ml. In an initial experiment we recommend to determine the optimal concentration of Blasticidin required to kill your host cell line.
For more detailed information, please refer to the technical data sheet for this product.

What is the selection concentration of Blasticidin in E.coli?
Blasticidin has low activity in E. coli, but transformants resistant to Blasticidin can be selected on low salt LB agar medium (pH 8) supplemented with 100 μg/ml Blasticidin.
Please note: a high pH (i.e. 8) enhances the activity of Blasticidin.

Any questions about our Selection antibiotics ? Visit our frequently asked questions page