Blasticidin S is a nucleoside antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces griseochromogenes. It is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Blasticidin S acts quickly by inhibiting peptide bond formation by the ribosome. Blasticidin S is used for the prevention of contamination of cell cultures. The recommended working concentration ranges from 2 to 20 µg ⁄ ml depending on the cell line. This product is provided as a solution at 10 mg ⁄ ml in 20mM HEPES (pH 7.2-7.5).  Life Technologies offers a variety of antibiotics and antimycotics for cell culture applications.

In addition, Blasticidin S is used as a bacterial selective antibiotic in the concentration range of 50 – 100  µg ⁄ ml. Resistance is conferred by expression of either one of two Blasticidin S deaminase genes: BSD (2) or bsr.These deaminases convert Blasticidin S to a nontoxic derivative. For selection purposes, the salt content of the LB medium must remain