We use HMI9 media to growth T.b. brucei at 37C. This media has bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, which is a cooper chelator. However, we had a problem with our delivery and the new product will arrive around two month. So, in order to save our culturing, we are thinking in adding Edta. Or it won’t work?
The copper chelator is required because trypanosomes need cysteine to grow. In the presence of copper ions (from the serum) cysteine is autoxidised resulting in the generation of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide which then kill the trypanosomes. Some chelators will bind copper but not prevent the autoxidation reaction, that's why bathocuproine is used specifically, it does block the generation of superoxide. I do not think EDTA would work as if it did it would probably already be used instead of bathocuproine. Trypanosomes aslo require magnesium, calcium and iron which would also be chelated by EDTA.
Thank you Martin for you rich information . However, I’ve just split some samples of my parasites in a media with edta (0.5uM) instead bathocuproinedisulfonic acid, because I wont lost them and my order hasn’t arrived. hope they survive. Thanks a lot
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