Mitomycin C, 50 mg

This antibiotic from STEMCELL Technologies acts as a double-stranded DNA alkylating agent. It covalently crosslinks DNA, inhibiting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, with reductive activation occurring through low pH or via NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase) or NADH cytochrome c reductase.

In stem cell research, Mitomycin C is used to mitotically inactivate mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) for use as feeder cell layers in embryonic stem cell co-culture systems, and is also used in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture workflows. The compound is supplied as a crystalline solid with a purity of ≥ 98% (chemical formula C15H18N4O5; molecular weight 334.3 g/mol; CAS 50-07-7). Reported solubility limits include DMSO ≤ 55 mM, absolute ethanol ≤ 0.3 mM, and PBS (pH 7.2) ≤ 1.5 mM; final DMSO concentration in culture should be kept below 0.1% due to potential cell toxicity. The product is stable as supplied for 12 months from the date of receipt and is intended for research use only.

A California Proposition 65 warning applies: Mitomycin C is known to the State of California to cause cancer.