β-Mercaptoethanol is also known as 2-mercaptoethanol, thioglycol, etc., commonly abbreviated as ME、2-Me or β-ME. β-Mercaptoethanol, which contains the functional groups of ethanediol (HOCH2CH2OH) and dithioglycol (HSCH2CH2SH), plays an important role in cell growth. On the one hand, it can reduce the sulfur compounds in the serum to glutathione, induce cell proliferation and delay cell senescence, while avoiding the damage of cells to peroxide. In addition, it promotes mitogen response and DNA synthesis, and increases the transformation effect of plant lectins (PHA) on lymphocytes. It has been widely used in hybridoma technology, and is also being used on cells that are difficult to culture, such as THP-1.
DPBS (with calcium, magnesium, without phenol red) (REF: PB180331) is used for β-Mercaptoethanol configuration. The concentration of the finished solution is 55mM, which can be used at a proper amount according to the concentration required for specific cell culture.
ITS supplements are used to reduce the amount of fetal bovine serum (FBS) needed for routine maintenance and low-density attachment of many cell types. Originally, they are used in combination with RPMI 1640 and MEM. Now, they are commonly used in combination with other basal media to support multiple cell types in the presence of 2 to 4% FBS. Earle’s Balanced Salt Solution (EBSS)can be used for ITS configuration.
