I'grown many cell types, mouse, chick, axolotl using High Molecular Weight poly-d-lysine from Sigma Chemical ~70 to 150 kD At a concentration of 75-100 ug/ml in HEPES buffered saline. Rinse well to remove unbound material. Overcoat with your specific adhesion molecule.

The molecular weight of poly-L-lysine (PLL) significantly influences its ability to promote cell adhesion. Generally, high molecular weight PLL (≥300,000 Da) is preferred for most adherent cell types, as it provides a more robust, long-chain coating that enhances electrostatic interaction with negatively charged cell membranes.

However, low molecular weight PLL (30,000–70,000 Da) may be used when a less dense surface coating is desired or to reduce potential cytotoxicity in sensitive cells. The choice ultimately depends on the cell type and application, but for most standard adherent cultures, high molecular weight PLL (e.g., Sigma P4707) is recommended for optimal attachment.

Hello Binbin Lee

Poly-lysine has two enantiomers namely, poly-L-lysine and poly-D-lysine. These are synthetic polymers derived from the amino acid lysine, which exists in two enantiomeric forms. Poly-L-lysine is formed from L-lysine, while poly-D-lysine is formed from D-lysine.

If you decide to use poly-L-lysine, then a molecular weight of 150,000 to 300,000 Daltons is frequently preferred for promoting cell adhesion and growth. This range is often preferred for cell culture due to the increased number of binding sites, resulting in stronger cell adhesion. However, poly-L-lysine is susceptible to degradation by cellular proteases, which can compromise its effectiveness in long-term cultures.

On the other hand, poly-D-lysine, being resistant to enzymatic degradation, maintains its adhesion-promoting properties for longer durations. Poly-D-lysine with a molecular weight between 70,000 and 150,000 Daltons is commonly used to promote cell adhesion and growth on tissue culture surfaces. This range of molecular weights provide a stable coating that resists degradation by cellular enzymes, making it suitable for long-term cell cultures. For instance, poly-D-lysine is often favored for neuronal cultures due to its ability to support neurite outgrowth and survival, or when weakly adherent cell lines are used, or when protease activity is a concern.

So, the choice between poly-L-lysine and poly-D-lysine will depend on the specific cell type and the experimental needs.

Best,

Binbin Lee , hello

It is recommended to use Poly-L-lysine with a molecular weight greater than 70,000, which can be used to promote cell adhesion growth. The larger the molecular weight, the stronger the adhesion and the more adhesion sites provided, but the solubility will be relatively poor.

We (MedChemExpress, MCE) can provide 0.01%, sterile-filtered Poly-L-lysine (MW 70000-150000), Catalog_NO: HY-126437K.

The answer to this question comes from MedChemExpress (MCE) Technical Support.

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