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D8906

Sigma-Aldrich

Dextran sulfate sodium salt from Leuconostoc spp.

for molecular biology, average Mw >500,000 (dextran starting material), contains 0.5-2% phosphate buffer

Synonym(s):

6-O-(6-O-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-D-glucose, Manninotriose

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About This Item

CAS Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352201
NACRES:
NA.31

biological source

synthetic

grade

for molecular biology

form

powder

mol wt

average Mw >500,000 (dextran starting material)

contains

0.5-2% phosphate buffer

composition

Sulfur Content, 16.0-19.0%

technique(s)

FISH: suitable
FTIR: suitable

color

off-white

useful pH range

6.0-8 (10 g/L)

solubility

H2O: 100 mg/mL

suitability

suitable for marker for electrophoresis
suitable for nucleic acid hybridization

application(s)

genomic analysis
sample preparation

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General description

Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) is a synthetic sulfated derivative of dextran, a complex polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules. DSS is characterized as a biocompatible, highly branched polysaccharide with 1–6 and 1–4 glycosidic linkages, featuring approximately 2.3 sulfate groups per glucosyl unit. Dextran sulfate is a sulfated polysaccharide with a variable molecular weight ranging from 5 to 1,400 kDa. It finds extensive use in molecular biology and biochemical research, with a particular emphasis on gastrointestinal investigations.DSS is widely recognized for its ability to induce colonic inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is widely recognized for its capacity to induce colonic inflammation in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by creating models of acute, chronic, and relapsing IBD, by adjusting its concentration and administration frequency. Furthermore, Dextran sulfate is applied in various molecular biology techniques, such as precipitating lipoproteins, accelerating DNA probe hybridization, and facilitating ribosomal isolations. Notably, DSS serves as a valuable cross-linker for chitosan, allowing for the creation of microparticles and nanoparticles used in controlled drug delivery systems. Beyond these applications, DSS plays a central role in diverse research areas, particularly immunology and virology, where it actively modulates immune responses, enhances humoral immunity, influences B-lymphocyte activation, and affects thymocyte reactivity to lectins.

Application

Dextran sulfate has been used

  • as a molecular weight marker to assess the purity and homogeneity of the purified polysaccharides by gel electrophoresis
  • as a component of the hybridization buffer in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol for DNA detection and analysis
Dextran sulfate has many applications and when performing nucleic acid hybridizations, may be used as an accelerant to decrease the time required for probe annealing. Dextran sulfate may be included in the hybridization buffer when the rate of hybridization is a limiting factor in detecting rare sequences or it may be included in the hybridization buffer when a limited amount of probe is available. Dextran sulfate functions as an accelerant by excluding the nucleic acid from the volume of solution occupied by the polymer, thereby, increasing the effective probe concentration.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Dextran sulfate, being a sulfated polysaccharide, consistently triggers experimental acute and chronic colitis. It is believed to initiate mucosal injury and inflammation, primarily through a direct toxic impact on epithelial cells. This initial effect activates macrophages and T lymphocytes, ultimately leading to cytokine-mediated cytotoxicity.

Features and Benefits

  • Suitable for Nucleic acid hybridization & Molecular Biology
  • Dextran Sulfate with an average molecular weight of >500,000
  • Sulfur Content of 16.0-19.0 %
  • Versatile and adaptable for wide variety of laboratory and research applications

Suitability

Tested for suitability in nucleic acid hybridizations

Other Notes

For additional information on our range of Biochemicals, please complete this form.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of our extensive range of Dextrans for your research, we encourage you to visit our Carbohydrates Category page.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 2

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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Articles

Available Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) procedures, reagents and equipment.

Protocols

Dextran sulfates as sodium salts are water-soluble and stable, containing approximately 17% sulfur for various applications.

Related Content

Dextrans are polysaccharides with molecular weights ≥1,000 Dalton, featuring a linear backbone of α-linked d-glucopyranosyl repeating units.

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