GlutaMAX™ Supplement
Quick Facts
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Supplement Type | Stabilized L-glutamine supplement |
| Chemical Name | L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine |
| Primary Use | Stable glutamine source for mammalian cell culture |
| Typical Working Concentration | 1× (from a 100× stock) |
| Compatible Media | DMEM, DMEM/F-12, Neurobasal, RPMI-1640, IMDM, MEM, Williams' E, McCoy's 5A |
| Storage | 2-8°C |
Overview
GlutaMAX™ Supplement is a stabilized dipeptide form of L-glutamine designed to provide a consistent source of glutamine while overcoming the instability of free L-glutamine in aqueous solutions. Unlike free glutamine, GlutaMAX gradually releases glutamine through enzymatic cleavage, reducing ammonia accumulation and improving medium stability.
It has become the preferred glutamine source for many mammalian cell culture applications, particularly long-term cultures and metabolically active cell types.
Biological Role
GlutaMAX™ supports cell culture by:
- Providing a stable source of glutamine
- Supporting cellular energy metabolism
- Promoting protein and nucleotide synthesis
- Reducing ammonia accumulation
- Improving cell viability
- Increasing media stability during long-term culture
Mechanism of Action
L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine
↓
Enzymatic Cleavage
↓
L-Glutamine + Alanine
↓
Sustained Cellular Metabolism
This gradual release minimizes spontaneous glutamine degradation and reduces toxic ammonia formation.
Major Biological Functions
| Biological Process | Role of Glutamine |
|---|---|
| ATP Production | Carbon source for the TCA cycle |
| Protein Synthesis | Amino acid precursor |
| DNA & RNA Synthesis | Nitrogen donor for nucleotide synthesis |
| Lipid Synthesis | Carbon donor |
| Glutathione Production | Redox homeostasis |
| Cell Proliferation | Nitrogen metabolism |
Typical Applications
GlutaMAX™ Supplement is widely used for:
- Immortalized cell lines
- Primary cells
- Human ESCs
- iPSCs
- Neural stem cells
- Neuronal cultures
- Organoids
- Immune cells
- Hybridomas
- Biopharmaceutical production
Recommended Use
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Stock Concentration | 100× |
| Working Concentration | 1× |
| Typical Dilution | 1:100 into complete medium |
Always verify whether the basal medium already contains GlutaMAX™ or L-glutamine before supplementation.
Advantages
- Highly stable glutamine source
- Reduced ammonia production
- Longer media shelf life
- Improved experimental reproducibility
- Better cell viability during long-term culture
- Compatible with most mammalian culture systems
Limitations
- More expensive than free L-glutamine
- Some legacy protocols specifically require free L-glutamine
- Should not be added if already present in the basal medium
Comparison with Related Supplements
| Supplement | Primary Use |
|---|---|
| L-Glutamine | Conventional glutamine source |
| GlutaMAX™ | Stable glutamine replacement with reduced ammonia production |
References
- Gibco™ GlutaMAX™ Supplement Product Information.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Cell Culture Handbook.
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- Eagle H. Amino acid metabolism in mammalian cell culture. Journal of Biological Chemistry.