Pen-Strep (also known as penicillin-streptomycin) is a mixture of penicillin G and streptomycin that is widely used in mammalian cell culture media to prevent bacterial contamination. The solution contains 5,000 units of penicillin G (sodium salt) which acts as the active base, and 5,000 micrograms of streptomycin (sulfate) (base per milliliter), formulated in 0.85% saline. In general, 50-100 units of Pen-Strep per milliliter of media is used to avoid contamination in cell culture. Thus, the retail product is generally 100 times more concentrated.[1] It is recommended for use in cell culture applications at a concentration of 10 ml per liter. It is the most common antibiotic solution for the culture of mammalian cells and it does not have any adverse effects on the cells themselves.[2] It was first introduced in 1955 in cell culture.[3]
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 Chemical structures of pennicllin G (top) and streptomycin
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| Names | |
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| Other names
Penicillin-streptomycin
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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PubChem CID
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| Properties | |
| C39H61N9O16S | |
| Molar mass | 944.02 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that is effective in inhibiting Gram-positive bacteria, whereas streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic which is effective against most Gram-negative bacteria.[citation needed]
Advantages and disadvantages
editPenicillin is a narrow spectrum antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria and is relatively inexpensive, but penicillin can cause hypersensitivity reactions[4] and is unstable in acid and alkaline pH environments.[2] Streptomycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic against Gram negative bacteria and is also relatively inexpensive, but can be rapidly destroyed at alkaline pH environments.[5] The cell culture media is generally neutral in pH which is why Pen-Strep is still widely used in mammalian cell culture. For the purpose of contamination control in cell culture, gentamicin sulfate[4] or kanamycin sulfate are also commonly used.[1][2][3][5][4]
References
edit- ^ a b Penicillin-Streptomycin Solution. TOKU-E. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
- ^ a b c Martinez-Liarte, Jose H; Solano, Francisco; Lozano, Jose A (Apr 1995). "Effect of penicillin-streptomycin and other antibiotics on melanogenic parameters in cultured B16/F10 melanoma cells". Pigment Cell Res. 8 (2): 83–88. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0749.1995.tb00646.x. PMID 7659681.
- ^ a b Willett, E. L. and J.I. Ohmos, Field Trials with Semen Containing Several Combinations of Antibacterial Agents [1]
- ^ a b c Schafer, Thomas W; Pascale, Andrea; Shimonaski, Gerard; Came, Paul E (Mar 1972). "Evaluation of gentamicin for use in virology and tissue culture". Appl. Microbiol. 23 (3): 565–570. doi:10.1128/AEM.23.3.565-570.1972. PMC 380388. PMID 4336661.
- ^ a b Bhattacharya, Sanjib B (Jan–Mar 2010). "The facts about penicillin allergy: A review". J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 1 (1): 11–17. PMC 3255391. PMID 22247826.