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D1163

Sigma-Aldrich

DOTAP methosulfate

Reagent for stable and transient DNA/RNA transfections

Synonym(s):

N-(2,3-Dioleoyloxy-1-propyl)trimethylammonium methyl sulfate, Transfection reagent

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About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C43H83NO8S
CAS Number:
144189-73-1
Molecular Weight:
774.19
MDL number:
MFCD16660441
UNSPSC Code:
12352200
PubChem Substance ID:
24893370

grade

for molecular biology

form

liquid (MES buffered saline)

usage

sufficient for 40 transfections (10 cm dishes)

concentration

1 mg/mL

color

clear to hazy colorless to faint yellow

storage temp.

2-8°C

SMILES string

[H]C(C[N+](C)(C)C)(OC(CCCCCCC/C=C\CCCCCCCC)=O)COC(CCCCCCC/C=C\CCCCCCCC)=O.O=S([O-])(OC)=O

InChI

1S/C42H80NO4.CH4O4S/c1-6-8-10-12-14-16-18-20-22-24-26-28-30-32-34-36-41(44)46-39-40(38-43(3,4)5)47-42(45)37-35-33-31-29-27-25-23-21-19-17-15-13-11-9-7-2;1-5-6(2,3)4/h20-23,40H,6-19,24-39H2,1-5H3;1H3,(H,2,3,4)/q+1;/p-1/b22-20-,23-21-;

InChI key

RSMRWWHFJMENJH-LQDDAWAPSA-M

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General description

DOTAP or N-(2, 3-Dioleoyloxy-1-propyl) trimethylammonium methyl sulfate is a cationic liposome-forming compound for transfection of DNA, RNA and other negatively charged molecules into eukaryotic cells.

Application

Cationic liposome-forming compound for transfection of DNA, RNA and other negatively charged molecules into eukaryotic cells. Mixing DOTAP with DNA results in spontaneously formed stable complexes that can be directly added to cell culture medium. These complexes fuse with the cell membrane and release DNA into the cytoplasm. The cells are transfected efficiently without cytotoxic effects. Use approximately 5-10 μg DOTAP per μg DNA and approximately 10-20 μg DOTAP per mL cell culture medium. The optimal working concentration and transfection time depends in part on the cell line used, and the type of material (RNA, DNA, protein) loaded.
Suitable for transient and stable transfection of DNA into cultured mammalian cells. Use approximately 5-10 μg DOTAP per μg DNA and approximately 10-20 μg DOTAP per mL cell culture medium. Protocol optimization within these guidelines provides very efficient transfection. The following cells have been successfully transfected using the DOTAP method:

A549
B6
BHK
BNL CL.2
C2
C6
Cardiomyocytes
CHO
COS-1
COS-7
Embryonic Fibroblasts (rat)
Embryonic stem cells (mouse)
Fibroblasts (primary human)
H225
Hepatocytes (primary rat)
HepG2
HEK293
HeLa
Hippocampal neurons (mouse and rat)
HMEC-1
Huh7
Jurkat
Lymphocytes (human peripheral blood)
M17
Macrophage (mouse)
MCF-7
MDA-MB-435
NIH3T3
Sf9
Smooth Muscle (rat aortic)
Spleen (mouse)
Vero
WI-38

Features and Benefits

  • Up to 100x more efficient than calcium phosphate and DEAE transfection
  • Lower toxicity than calcium phosphate and DEAE based transfection
  • Compatible with both serum and serum-free transfection protocols
  • Compatible with in-vivo transfection protocols

Principle

A stable complex is formed when DOTAP is mixed with DNA in the absence of serum. The complexes are stable and can be directly added to the cell culture medium, where they fuse with the cell membrane, releasing the DNA into the cytoplasm. Note: complex formation is inhibited by serum, but once stable complexes have formed, the presence of serum is without consequence.

Storage Class Code

12 - Non Combustible Liquids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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  1. Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?

    If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.

  2. How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?

    The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.

  3. How do I find price and availability?

    There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote.  USA customers:  1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.

  4. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

  5. Is low cell passage number an important consideration for transfection?

    Yes, we recommend cells are at a low passage when being  used for any application, including transfection.  The reason why depends on what type of cells they are.  Primary cells will undergo a finite number of divisions, and as they get closer to senesence they divide more slowly - both affecting their ability to take up DNA (transient transfection), and minimizing their abillity to incorporate the DNA into the genome (stable selection).Cultured common cell lines are often immortalized, and generally continue to aquire mutations, leading to a heterogenous population that may perform differently from cells of lower passage number - leading to results that are not reproducible.

  6. Is the size of the plasmid an important consideration for transfection?

    The size of the plasmid should be considered when selecting a transfection reagent with the best efficiency.  In general, larger sized plasmids should easily transfect with readily available transfection reagents, as along as the plasmid DNA is of high purity.

  7. Is optimizing the transfection protocol important?

    For many common cell lines, transfection reagent efficiency is very high and the protocols will not require any optimization.  For hard-to-transfect cells or those ultimately expressing a toxic protein, the protocol should be optimized for best transfection efficiency.  Taking time to optimize will give you more transfected cells with each procedure, which can mean more protein expressed and results that are reproducible.

  8. How do I choose a transfection reagent?

    There are many guides that help you select a transfection reagent.  In general, consider:The type of cell(s) you will transfectThe type of nucleic acid or protein you will introduce to the cellThe composition of your cell culture mediumThe need for stable or transient transfectionThe equipment you have availableThe other factors important to you - cost, protocol flexibility, ease of use, etc.

  9. What quality does the DNA need to be in order to use it for transfection?

    The DNA needs to be good quality or it may cause the cells to lyse and/or they won't transfect efficiently.  Plasmid DNA prepared with a column-based DNA purification kit is suitable for transfections.  Sigma's GenElute™ Minprep, Midiprep and Maxiprep kits work well for DNA plasmid purification.  After preparing the DNA, confirm the OD A260:A280 ratio is greater than 1.6 for use in plasmid transfections.

  10. What is transfection efficiency?

    Transfection efficiency is a measure of how many cells take up the DNA during the transfection process.  Many transfection reagents can achieve a transfection efficiency of >90% in common cell lines.  Other cell lines are hard to transfect, and require special reagents and/or techniques to achieve even a small population of transfected cells.

  11. How can I determine the efficiency of my transfection?

    Calculating transfection efficiency is very useful when optimizing transfection protocols.  Transfection efficiency can be performed using a GFP-expressing plasmid.  After transfection, cells are stained with propidium iodide and counted.  The propidium iodide provides a count of the total cells in the population, and the GFP-expressing cells provide a count of the number of cells transfected.  The transfection efficiency (%) can then be calculated by:(# GFP-expressing cells / total cell #) * 100

  12. How can I increase the efficiency of my transfection?

    Transfection efficiency is affected by many different things, including plasmid size and purity, media components present, transfection reagent selected, amount of DNA and transfection reagent used, cell density, etc.  Optimizing the protocol with respect to these concerns will allow you to achieve a higher transfection efficiency.  For many cell lines and transfection reagents, optimized protocols are already available.

  13. Can I transfect cells plated at low density?

    For most transfections, cells should be >70% confluency the day of transfection, and growing in mid-log phase.  Some transfection reagents are now designed to work with cells at low density, when required.

  14. Can antibiotics be present in the medium during transfection?

    We recommend that no antibiotics are present during transfection.  The process of transfection can make the cells somewhat more porous to allow for efficient DNA entry.  During this time, antibiotics will also enter the cells more easily and the cells may show increased cell death.  Wait until about 24 hours after transfection to resume the use of preventative antibiotics and/or start the use of selective antibiotics.

  15. What is the difference between stable and transient transfection?

    When the DNA enters the nucleus of the cell, the plasmid is replicated by the cell machinery (transient transfection).  During this time, RNA is transcribed and protein translated until the plasmid DNA is lost after a few cell divisions.  This expression of the plasmid DNA, mRNA, and protein is transient (temporary).In some cases, the plasmid DNA is integrated into the host cell genome.  This is usually accompanied by forced expression using a selection antibiotic and sometimes a cloning step (to be sure all cells have the same integration site).  Once the DNA is stable, the cell line can be frozen and used to express protein for many years.  Clones may even be screened for those expressing the highest amount of protein.

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