MOPS (3- (N-morpholino) propanesulfonic acid) is a widely used biological buffer in cell culture and protein research. In practical applications, there are many details in the use of MOPS buffer, and a slight carelessness may affect experimental results. Next, we will explore in detail the precautions for using MOPS buffer.

MOPS powder

1. Considerations for the use of MOPS in cell culture

Research has shown that when the concentration of MOPS exceeds 20 mM, it may have adverse effects on cell growth and metabolism, and even lead to changes in cell morphology or inhibition of proliferation. Therefore, in cell culture experiments, it is recommended to control the final concentration of MOPS at 10-20 mM and conduct cell toxicity testing in advance to ensure its applicability. In addition, MOPS may also affect the thickness of the surface layer and barrier function of rat endothelial cells. Therefore, in vascular biology or barrier function related studies, the impact of MOPS on experimental results should be carefully evaluated.

2. Attention should be paid to the chelation of metal ions

MOPS has weak chelating ability for metal ions, especially for divalent cations such as Mg ² ⁺ and Ca ² ⁺. In experiments that rely on these ions, such as PCR, enzyme reactions, and cell signaling studies, the presence of MOPS may lead to a decrease in ion concentration, thereby affecting the experimental results. When preparing the buffer, increase the initial concentration of Mg ² ⁺ or Ca ² ⁺ appropriately to compensate for the chelating effect of MOPS.

3. High pressure sterilization may lead to MOPS degradation

MOPS buffer solution usually requires aseptic treatment, but in the presence of glucose, high-pressure sterilization may cause partial degradation of MOPS, which can affect the buffering capacity. If sterilization is required, MOPS solution can be sterilized separately, and glucose or other thermally unstable components can be added after cooling.

4. Potential reactions with reducing agents

MOPS may react slowly with strong reducing agents such as DTT and β - mercaptoethanol, and long-term storage may lead to the failure of reducing agents or a decrease in MOPS buffering capacity. Long term storage of MOPS buffer containing DTT should be avoided, and it is recommended to prepare and use it immediately.

5. Key considerations in RNA electrophoresis

MOPS is a commonly used buffer for RNA electrophoresis, but its preparation process must strictly prevent RNase contamination, otherwise it may lead to RNA degradation. The general solution is to use DEPC to treat water and prepare MOPS buffer to inactivate RNase.

The details of using MOPS buffer directly affect the success or failure of the experiment, so it is crucial to choose MOPS products with high purity and low endotoxin. Desheng New Materials provides MOPS of analytical grade, strictly controlling the content of heavy metals and impurities to ensure batch stability. It is suitable for various experimental scenarios such as cell culture, RNA electrophoresis, protein research, etc.

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Through the above detailed introduction, I believe you have gained a more comprehensive understanding of the use of MOPS buffer. Reasonable selection of buffer system and strict control of experimental conditions are necessary to ensure the reliability of scientific research data. Desheng New Materials is willing to work together with you to promote the progress of life science research!