g-418.com
Chemical Properties.
| Genamicin Sulphate Salt | Geneticin, Disulfate Salt | |
| MW | NA | 692.7 |
| Formula | C21H43N5O7.H2SO4 | C20H40N4O10.2H2SO4 |
| CAS | 1405-41-0 | 108321-42-2 |
| Further information | IPCS Information | Chemical Information |
What is g-418?
G418 is 'aminoglycoside' antibiotic obtained from the soil fungus Micromonospora Purpurea. G-418, or Gentamicin, was isolated in 1963 by Weinstein and colleagues (Sande and Mandell, 1985).
Resistance
Bacteria having the gene for aminoglycoside-3'-phophotransferase (neo gene from Tn5 encoding ) are resistant to g-418.
What is g-418 used for?
Researchers use it as a selective agent in gene transfer experiments for mammalian, yeast (to select for the KanMX marker), plant and bacteria cells. Antibiotic-resistance genes are used as 'markers' to identify the transfer of other genes.
Storage and handling
The chemical will degrade in the presence of moisture and light so store in sealed container and protect from the light. g-418 can be stored at room temperature. G-418 issSupplied as a crystalline solid or aqueous solution. Working concentrations of G418 range from 100 µg-5mg/ml. A concentration of ~400 µg/ml is needed for selection and ~200 µg/ml for maintenance in mammalian cells.
How does g-418 Work?
G418 blocks polypeptide synthesis by irreversibly binding the 80S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting the elongation step in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.