G-418 Disulfate, also known as Geneticin, is an aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from Micromonospora rhodorangea. It is widely used in molecular biology and cell culture as a selective agent. G-418 inhibits protein synthesis by targeting the 80S ribosome, blocking translocation. It is commonly used to select genetically modified cells that carry a G-418 resistance gene, typically introduced via plasmid vectors. This allows for the isolation and maintenance of stable transfectants in gene expression, protein production, and cell line development studies. Its selectivity makes it a key tool in genetic engineering.
