Methotrexate is a selective agent for dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)- transfected cells, and a nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor in protein expression systems, thus can be used as an ancillary material in upstream biomanufacturing applications. It also has immunosuppressive effects for rheumatoid arthritis research and has anti-cancer properties.
Methotrexate is soluble in DMSO but practically insoluble in water.
We also offer:
- Methotraxate Sodium (M031)
This product is considered a dangerous good. Quantities above 1 g may be subject to additional shipping fees. Please contact us for questions.
| Mechanism of Action | In cancerous cells, Methotrexate acts as an allosteric inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme involved in the folic acid metabolic pathway, catalyzing the conversion of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate. Since tetrahydrofolate is needed for synthesis of purine and thymidine synthesis, it results in the inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis. |
| Eukaryotic Cell Culture Applications | Methotrexate is commonly used in the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) selection system as a selection antibiotic to select for DHFR- deficient CHO cells that have been transfected with DHFR genes. Methotrexate inhibits the activity of DHFR; however, cells that overproduce DHFR can tolerate higher concentrations of Methotrexate. In most cases, overproducing DHFR cells produce more recombinant protein than lower DHFR producing cells.
Mammalian cells used in biopharma manufacturing may exhibit toxicity to USP-grade Methotrexate, thus Methotrexate, EvoPure® is also available. EvoPure® products have been fully characterized by spectral analysis and are shipped with a comprehensive certificate of analysis containing lot-specific HPLC, MS, HNMR, and FTIR data. |
| Cancer Applications | Methotrexate acts as a chemotherapeutic agent by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis in cancer cells. In human glioblastoma U87MG cells (brain tumor), Methotrexate can be used as a carrier for PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (Maleki et al, 2017). |
| Molecular Formula | C20H22N8O5 |
| References |
Fairbanks, LD et al (1999) Methotrexate inhibits the first committed step of purine biosynthesis in mitogen-stimulated human T-lymphocytes: A metabolic basis for efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis? Biochem. J 342 (1):143-52 Maleki H et al (2017) Methotrexate-loaded PLGA nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization and their cytotoxic effect on human glioblastoma U87MG cells. Med. Nano. Res. 4(1):020 Klingston RE, Kaufman RJ, Bebbington CR and Rolfe MR (2002) Amplification using CHO cell expression vectors. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 16(23). PMID 18265304 |
