MEM-Alpha, nucleosides, GlutaminePlus

A: GlutaminePlus, a derivative of L-glutamine obtained by a chemical reaction of L-alanine with L-glutamine, is available in liquid form or as an ingredient in ready-to-use Atlanta Biologicals brand cell culture media (media with stable L-glutamine). GlutaminePlus is metabolized within the cells to yield L-glutamine plus the second amino acid. This results in more consistent delivery of L-glutamine to cells in culture and avoids toxic buildup of ammonia in cell cultures. This feature can be especially important for ammonia sensitive cell lines. L-glutamine is an essential amino acid and plays a major role for the growth and function of cells in culture. Although L-glutamine is stable in crystalline form, it has the tendency to degrade non-enzymatically and irreversibly in solution within a short time period. The rate of this L-glutamine breakdown is dependent on pH, temperature and the presence of various anions. One of the by-products, ammonia, may act as a toxin or growth inhibitor for the cultured cells. Because of its chemical instability and significance for cell growth, it is important that the delivery of L-glutamine be optimized to each specific cell culture application. A recommended way of achieving reliable delivery of L-glutamine to the cells in culture is the use of stable derivatives of L-glutamine in cell culture media.