Versene solution - BioReagent, Sterile-filtered, Ready-to-use, for Cell culture

Cat. No.: V1527596

QUALITÉ & PURETÉ Sterile-filtered, BioReagent, Ready-to-use, for Cell culture

Synonyms

EDTA Disodium Salt Solution

Storage

Store at 2-8°C

Shipped In

Wet ice

Application

Cell Culture

Vue d’ensemble

Versene Solution is a mild, ready-to-use, non-enzymatic cell dissociation reagent. Its main component is 0.02% EDTA·Na₄ (tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate), equivalent to 0.48 mM, prepared in calcium- and magnesium-free phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).

This product is animal-origin-free and phenol-red-free, with a chemically defined formulation and high batch-to-batch consistency. It is suitable for experimental systems that require stringent standards for biological safety and compositional clarity.

Mechanism of Action

EDTA is a metal ion chelator that specifically chelates divalent cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are essential factors for maintaining cell-cell adhesion. By competitively binding these ions, EDTA disrupts intercellular junctions, promoting the dissociation of adherent cells into single-cell suspensions.

Product Features

•  Gentle action: Does not damage cell surface proteins, making it particularly suitable for downstream applications that require intact membrane proteins.

•  Easy to use: Ready-to-use solution, no preparation required, low cytotoxicity.

•  Good compatibility: Can be used in combination with trypsin at appropriate ratios, or as a pre-wash solution prior to enzymatic digestion.

•  Safe composition: Free of animal-derived components and phenol red, minimizing experimental variables.

Applications

Versene Solution is suitable for gentle dissociation of mammalian cells, particularly in research scenarios that require preservation of intact cell surface proteins, including but not limited to:

        •   Cell surface receptor assays

        •   Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)

        •   Immunofluorescence staining (IF)

        •   Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

This product can also be used for:

        •   Pre-washing cells prior to trypsin treatment

        •   Combination with trypsin at appropriate ratios to modulate digestion intensity

Suitable Cell Types

Suitable for weakly adherent cell lines (e.g., 293T, KATO Ⅲ).

Not recommended for routine subculture of strongly adherent cell lines with tight intercellular junctions (e.g., HeLa, MDA-MB-231).

Protocol

1. Pre-warm an appropriate volume of Versene Solution at 37℃.

2. Aspirate culture medium, and wash the cell monolayer twice with sterile PBS or D-PBS without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺.

3. Add appropriate volume of Versene Solution (typically 1.5 mL for every 25 cm² culture area). Incubate at room temperature for 2–20 min; gently rock the dish or flask occasionally.

Note: Optimal incubation time varies between cell types. For tightly adherent cells, extend incubation time or increase the volume of Versene Solution.

4. Observe cells under microscope: cells show obvious rounding, and visible morphological changes can be seen at the bottom of culture vessel. Alternatively, test by gentle pipetting; proceed when cells can just be dislodged. Aspirate Versene Solution at this stage. Add PBS or D-PBS, pipette to harvest cells, centrifuge at 1000×g for 1 min, then resuspend cell pellet with culture medium for subsequent experiments.

5. If dissociation is insufficient, add Versene Solution and repeat incubation.

6. If cells have been incubated for excessive dissociation time, gently pipette to harvest all cells directly. Centrifuge at 1000–2000×g for 1 min to pellet cells. Remove Versene Solution as thoroughly as possible, wash the cell pellet once with PBS, and resuspend cells in serum-supplemented complete culture medium for subsequent experiments.

Precautions

1. This product is sterile filtered and contains no preservatives. Strict aseptic operation is required during use to prevent contamination.

2. This product features mild dissociation performance and is not recommended for routine passaging of strongly adherent cell lines.

3. Due to differences among cell types, operators shall optimize the incubation time empirically. Over-digestion will impair cell adhesion and proliferation.

4. EDTA cannot be neutralized by culture medium. Harvested cells should be washed once with PBS to avoid poor cell attachment.

5. This product is for research use only by qualified professionals. It must not be applied for clinical diagnosis or therapy, must not be used in food or pharmaceutical production, and should not be stored in residential premises.

6. Wear a lab coat and disposable gloves for safe handling.

Spécifications

Synonymes

EDTA Disodium Salt Solution

Spécifications et pureté

BioReagent, Sterile-filtered, Ready-to-use, for Cell culture

Stabilité et stockage

Store at 2-8℃ long term (18 months).

Conditions de stockage de stockage

Store at 2-8°C

Expédié en

Wet ice

Ce produit nécessite l'expédition en chaîne froide. Les services terrestres et autres services économiques ne sont pas disponibles.

Grade

BioReagent, for Cell culture, Ready-to-use, Sterile-filtered

Product Line

Produits biologiques

Application Protocols

The following are generalized, literature-based procedures for EDTA-based Versene solutions. Item-specific concentration and exposure times for this SKU are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and validate for your system.

A. Gentle cell detachment (non-enzymatic)

• Pre-warm Versene to room temperature or 37°C as compatible with your cells.
• Aspirate culture medium; rinse cells once with Ca2+/Mg2+-free buffer to remove residual divalent cations.
• Add sufficient Versene to cover the monolayer.
• Incubate while monitoring under a microscope; gently tap the vessel to aid detachment. Avoid excessive exposure.
• Once cells round up and detach, add complete growth medium (containing Ca2+/Mg2+) to quench chelation and resuspend.
• Collect, centrifuge if needed, and reseed.

B. Pre-trypsinization rinse

• Rinse cells with Versene to deplete Ca2+/Mg2+.
• Remove Versene, add trypsin (Ca2+/Mg2+-free) for a shortened exposure relative to direct trypsinization.
• Neutralize with serum-containing medium and proceed to subculture.

C. Metalloprotease/nuclease suppression in lysates (bench workflow)

• Add an appropriate volume of Versene to buffers to chelate trace divalent cations, considering downstream needs for Mg2+.
• For enzymatic assays requiring Mg2+, dilute or remove EDTA (e.g., by buffer exchange) before the assay.

Always verify cell line–specific recommendations and adjust contact times accordingly.

Biological Roles

Context (general, literature)

• EDTA does not serve a native biological role; rather, it is a synthetic chelating agent used experimentally to modulate biological systems by binding metal ions.

Functional impacts in cell biology

• Cell adhesion: Many adhesion molecules (e.g., cadherins, integrins) require extracellular Ca2+ and/or Mg2+. By complexing these ions, Versene transiently disrupts cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions for gentle detachment.
• Enzymatic activity: Numerous enzymes (metalloproteases, certain nucleases, phosphatases) require divalent cations as cofactors. EDTA inhibits their activity in lysates or during sample preparation by reducing free metal availability.
• Signaling and viability: Acute chelation of extracellular Ca2+ can alter signaling cascades and membrane stability. Prolonged or excessive exposure can stress cells. Therefore, Versene is typically used briefly and subsequently quenched by adding Ca2+/Mg2+-containing medium or serum.

Molecular considerations

• Metal binding is pH dependent; effective sequestration of Ca2+/Mg2+ is strongest near neutral to slightly basic pH where EDTA is highly deprotonated.
• Selectivity: EDTA exhibits high stability constants for transition metals (e.g., Zn2+, Cu2+), which is leveraged to inhibit undesired metalloprotein activity during extraction and storage.

Note: Effects are experimental and system-dependent; optimize exposure conditions for each cell type or assay. No clinical or therapeutic roles are implied.

Buffer Applications

Applicability

• Versene solution itself is a chelating adjunct rather than a pH buffer. Nonetheless, EDTA is frequently included in biological buffer systems to control trace metal activity.

Common buffer contexts (literature)

• PBS/EDTA: Phosphate-buffered saline lacking Ca2+/Mg2+ with added EDTA is widely used for washing and gentle cell detachment. Typical pH ~7.2–7.4 (verify with manufacturer). Concentrations of EDTA vary by application and supplier; exact specs for this item are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Lysis and storage buffers: EDTA (0.1–10 mM, literature range) is added to protect proteins/DNA from metal-dependent degradation during extraction and storage.
• Nucleic acid electrophoresis buffers: EDTA is a component in TAE/TBE systems to inhibit nuclease activity by chelating Mg2+.

Practical guidance

• Ensure downstream reactions that require Mg2+ (e.g., polymerases, kinases) are not inhibited by residual EDTA; remove or dilute EDTA as needed.
• For cell handling, pair Versene with Ca2+/Mg2+-free formulations to maximize efficacy, and restore physiological divalent cations post-procedure.

Note: Exact preparation recipes and pH/ionic strength specifications for this SKU are not provided; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet and institutional SOPs.

Green Alternatives

Environmental perspective (general)

• EDTA is persistent in the environment and can mobilize heavy metals in wastewater. While effective and broadly used, minimizing release and optimizing use is recommended under green chemistry principles.

Potential alternatives and trade-offs (literature)

• GLDA (tetrasodium L-glutamate N,N-diacetate)
  • Pros: Readily biodegradable chelator with performance approaching EDTA for Ca2+/Mg2+.
  • Cons: Different chelation strength/selectivity; may require higher concentrations; cell culture compatibility must be validated case-by-case.
• MGDA (methylglycine diacetic acid, trisodium salt)
  • Pros: Improved biodegradability vs EDTA; effective for hard water control.
  • Cons: Lower stability constants vs EDTA; less common in biological workflows.
• Citrate buffers
  • Pros: Readily biodegradable, biocompatible.
  • Cons: Much weaker chelation; often insufficient for robust detachment or enzyme inhibition.
• EGTA
  • Pros: Higher selectivity for Ca2+ over Mg2+; useful when preserving Mg2+-dependent enzymes while disrupting Ca2+-dependent adhesion.
  • Cons: Biodegradability and persistence concerns similar to EDTA; typically more costly.

Best practices with Versene (greener use)

• Use the minimal effective volume and contact time; avoid discharge to drains where prohibited.
• Collect EDTA-containing waste for appropriate disposal.
• Validate whether lower-strength chelators (e.g., citrate) meet needs in non-critical applications.

Pharmaceutical Uses

Scope: The product is designated for research use only. The following information is general background on the role of edetate disodium in pharmaceutical technology (literature) and does not imply suitability of this SKU for clinical use.

• Functional roles of edetate disodium (EDTA) as an excipient (literature)

  • Chelating agent to stabilize formulations by sequestering trace metal ions that catalyze oxidation or degradation (e.g., in ophthalmic solutions, injectables, topical products).
  • Enhances preservative efficacy synergistically with agents like benzalkonium chloride by binding divalent cations that can inactivate preservatives.
  • Helps prevent discoloration or precipitation caused by metal contamination.

• Regulatory compendia (literature)

  • Edetate disodium appears in major pharmacopeias (e.g., USP/NF, Ph. Eur.) with defined quality attributes for pharmaceutical use.

• Formulation considerations

  • Typical concentrations vary widely (μg/mL to low mM), selected to balance efficacy with compatibility; exact levels are highly product-specific.
  • pH and ionic strength control the chelation strength; buffering systems must maintain EDTA in its effective deprotonation state.

Important: This SKU is labeled For research use only and is not released to pharmacopeial specifications unless explicitly stated. Do not use for human or veterinary applications.

Physical Properties

Item-specific physicochemical data

• Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Density, pH, osmolarity, conductivity: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• UV cutoff, metal impurity limits: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

General properties (literature/context for EDTA-based aqueous solutions)

• Physical state: Aqueous solution; fully miscible with water.
• Typical pH of cell-culture Versene formulations: commonly near physiological (~7.2–7.4) when prepared in PBS, but exact value varies by manufacturer (verify on CoA).
• Chelation behavior: High stability constants for divalent cations; e.g., log Kf (EDTA) approx. Ca2+ ~10.7, Mg2+ ~8.7 (literature, ionic strength dependent).
• pKa values for EDTA (literature): multiple stepwise values; representative macroscopic pKa’s ~2.00, 2.67, 6.16, 10.26 for carboxylate/amine protonations (additional very acidic steps <2 also reported). Actual protonation speciation depends strongly on pH and ionic strength.
• Refractive index / viscosity: Close to that of water at low concentrations (literature, concentration dependent).
• Compatibility: Generally compatible with common plastics (PP/PE) and borosilicate glass; strong complexation with metal ions can slowly leach trace metals from reactive alloys.

Practical implications

• Effective chelation requires pH above ~6 for robust binding of Ca2+/Mg2+.
• Presence of Ca2+/Mg2+ in media/buffers will reduce free EDTA; compositions lacking added Ca/Mg maximize efficacy.

All item-specific numerical specifications should be verified on the CoA/SDS for this SKU.

Quality and Grades

This SKU is designated as Sterile-filtered, BioReagent, Ready-to-use, for Cell culture.

• Sterile-filtered

  • Signifies terminal filtration through a sterilizing-grade membrane (commonly 0.22 μm), minimizing bioburden while preserving solution composition. Practical benefit: can be used directly in aseptic workflows without in-house sterilization. Verification: sterility assurance specifics are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• BioReagent grade

  • Indicates suitability for biological research, including cell culture and biochemical assays. Typical expectations include low endotoxin and bioburden, and controlled trace metal levels; exact limits are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Ready-to-use

  • Supplied as a working-strength solution—no dilution or pH adjustment is required when used as directed. Exact composition/concentration is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• For Cell culture

  • Manufactured to support cell culture workflows (e.g., detachment, washing, chelation steps). Absence of animal-derived components or Ca/Mg content is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Quality control notes

• Appearance, pH, conductivity, and sterility tests are commonly performed for such reagents, but item-specific acceptance criteria are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Storage and shipping controls (2–8°C, wet ice) support integrity from manufacture to use. Maintain asepsis after opening; consider aliquoting in a biosafety cabinet.

Reaction and Applications

Primary use is in cell culture and biochemistry rather than synthetic organic reactions.

• Cell culture applications (literature)

  • Gentle dissociation: Chelation of Ca2+/Mg2+ disrupts cadherin/integrin-mediated adhesion, enabling non-enzymatic detachment of sensitive monolayers or spheroids.
  • Rinsing/washing: Pre-rinse with Versene removes residual divalent cations before trypsinization, improving enzyme performance and reducing required exposure time.
  • Trypsin quenching support: Post-trypsin wash with EDTA-containing buffers helps minimize re-adhesion by complexing liberated Ca2+/Mg2+.

• Biochemical applications (literature)

  • Metalloprotease and nuclease inhibition: EDTA sequesters metal cofactors, suppressing metal-dependent enzymes during sample prep.
  • Complexometric titrations: EDTA is the classical titrant for hardness and trace metal assays (though dedicated standards are generally used instead of culture-grade Versene).

Practical tips (general)

• Pre-warm to room temperature or 37°C as compatible with your cells to improve detachment kinetics and maintain cell viability.
• Use Ca2+/Mg2+-free buffers during dissociation; even low millimolar Ca/Mg will reduce efficacy.
• Monitor cells microscopically; exposure times are cell line–dependent. Gentle tapping may assist detachment; avoid overexposure that can stress cells.
• After detachment, promptly add serum-containing or Mg2+/Ca2+-containing medium to restore physiological cation levels.

Item-specific concentration and exposure recommendations are Not specified for this item; consult CoA or internal SOPs.

Reaction Conditions

This product is used operationally rather than as a reactant. General conditions for its effective use as a chelating agent in bio-workflows (literature):

• Medium: Aqueous buffers lacking Ca2+/Mg2+ (e.g., PBS without Ca/Mg) maximize free chelator availability.
• pH: Near-neutral pH (≈7–8) promotes deprotonation and strong binding of Ca2+/Mg2+ by EDTA. Below pH ~6, chelation efficiency decreases notably.
• Temperature: Ambient to 37°C commonly used for cell handling. Warmer temperatures accelerate chelation and cell detachment but may increase cell stress; optimize per cell type.
• Time and dosing: Exposure durations vary widely by cell line and confluence. Begin with short contact times, monitoring microscopically, and adjust incrementally. The concentration and exact contact times for this SKU are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and internal SOPs.
• Quenching/neutralization: Restore physiological divalent cations after the chelation step by adding complete growth medium or buffer containing Ca2+/Mg2+.
• Compatibility: Avoid simultaneous use with reagents that require metal cofactors (e.g., certain enzymes) to prevent inhibition.

Performance expectations should be established empirically for the specific cell line or assay. For regulatory or validated processes, document lot-specific parameters from the CoA.

Safety and Handling

Authoritative hazard classification

• GHS classification, signal word, pictograms, H-statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS for definitive safety information.

General safety considerations for EDTA-containing aqueous solutions (literature/good practice)

• Hazards: Typically low acute toxicity but may cause eye/skin irritation. Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin exposure. Do not ingest or inhale aerosols.
• PPE: Laboratory coat, gloves (nitrile), and safety glasses or face shield when splashing is possible.
• First aid: Rinse eyes/skin with water for several minutes if exposed; remove contaminated clothing. If inhaled (mists), move to fresh air. If ingested, rinse mouth with water. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Always follow your institution’s protocols.
• Incompatibilities: Solutions aggressively sequester divalent/trivalent metal ions. Avoid contact with solutions or processes that rely on metal cofactors (e.g., enzyme assays needing Mg2+), and avoid storage in containers with reactive metal components.
• Spill response: Small spills can be absorbed with paper towels or inert absorbents and rinsed with copious water; prevent release to the environment since EDTA is persistent.
• Waste: Collect according to local regulations; chelating agents can mobilize heavy metals in wastewater—dispose via approved routes.

Storage and stability

• Store at 2–8°C (per Product Data). Maintain sterility; minimize repeated warm/cold cycles.

Note: Always consult the product-specific SDS for binding, exposure, and ecological information before use.

Solvent Selection

Versene solution is an aqueous, ready-to-use reagent rather than a solvent chosen for extraction or reaction media. Traditional solvent selection criteria (polarity scales, dielectric constant comparisons) are not typically applied here.

• Matrix and miscibility

  • Aqueous solution; fully miscible with water, saline, and most common biological buffers.
  • Not intended for use with organic solvents or nonaqueous systems.

• Compatibility in workflows

  • Designed to interoperate with cell culture buffers/media. Use with Ca2+/Mg2+-free formulations maximizes chelation efficacy. Concurrent presence of divalent cations will neutralize activity.

• When to choose Versene vs alternatives (general guidance)

  • Choose Versene (EDTA solution) for gentle, non-enzymatic dissociation or to halt divalent metal–dependent processes (e.g., metalloproteases, adhesion) without proteolytic damage.
  • Consider trypsin or accutase when stronger proteolytic detachment is required, recognizing higher risk of cleaving surface proteins.
  • Consider EGTA-based solutions when more selective chelation of Ca2+ over Mg2+ is desired (e.g., preserving Mg2+-dependent enzymes).

Note: For solvent choice in chemical synthesis or extraction, this product is not applicable; refer to appropriate solvent-grade products.

Storage and Reconstitution

• Storage temperature: Store at 2–8°C (per Product Data). Minimize temperature cycling to maintain performance and container sterility.
• Shipping: Shipped on wet ice (per Product Data).
• Format: Ready-to-use solution; no reconstitution required.

Handling and stability

• Maintain aseptic technique when opening and dispensing; consider aliquoting in a biosafety cabinet to reduce contamination risk.
• Protect from microbial contamination; discard if turbidity, precipitate, or color change is observed.
• Freezing: Acceptability of freezing is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. If freezing is permitted, freeze once in aliquots to avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
• Shelf life/expiry: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and product label.

Use notes

• Pre-warm to the desired working temperature before application to cells to avoid thermal shock.
• After opening, record first-use date and follow your lab’s policy for maximum open-bottle dating.
• Do not mix back into the original container after aliquoting to maintain sterility.

For research use only.

Structure and Identity

Brief overview: Versene solution is a ready-to-use, sterile-filtered cell culture reagent widely recognized as an aqueous chelating solution based on EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), typically supplied in a physiological saline vehicle. It is used to sequester divalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ to gently disrupt cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion.

• Item-specific identifiers

  • CAS: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • SMILES / InChIKey: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Composition & concentration

  • Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Structural features (literature, for context)

  • The active chelator in Versene formulations is commonly disodium EDTA (edetate disodium), an aminopolycarboxylate ligand featuring two tertiary amine nitrogens and four carboxylate arms arranged around an ethylenediamine backbone.
  • Functional groups: two tertiary amines (–N–), four carboxylates (–COO–); forms octahedral complexes with many divalent and some trivalent metal ions.
  • 2D description (literature): central –CH2–CH2– flanked by –N–CH2–COO– pairs on each nitrogen, giving a hexadentate ligand capable of wrapping metal centers via two nitrogens and four carboxylate oxygens.

• Common synonyms (literature)

  • Versene (trade name), edetate disodium solution, EDTA solution, PBS/EDTA (when in phosphate-buffered saline).

Note: Where exact identifiers and composition are required for regulatory or method validation, consult the product’s CoA/SDS.

Synthetic Utility

While not a classical building block or solvent for organic synthesis, EDTA-containing solutions have roles in analytical and inorganic workflows (literature):

• Complexometric titration standard

  • EDTA is the archetypal ligand for complexometric assays (e.g., water hardness, metal ion quantification) using metallochromic indicators and pH-buffered media.

• Metal ion control in catalysis and reactions

  • In aqueous-phase processes, EDTA can suppress trace-metal-catalyzed side reactions (e.g., Fenton-type oxidations by Fe2+/Fe3+) by chelating adventitious metals.

• Sample cleanup and speciation

  • EDTA is used to mask interfering metal ions during analysis (e.g., in colorimetric assays) or to solubilize certain metal complexes.

• Limitations

  • Strong chelation can poison homogeneous catalysts requiring free metal ions; avoid in reactions that rely on Lewis-acidic metals.
  • Not suitable as a buffer or reducing/oxidizing agent; dedicated reagents should be selected for those roles.

Note: For precise titrimetric or analytical applications, dedicated standardized EDTA solutions are preferred over cell-culture–grade Versene. Item-specific concentration of this SKU is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. This product is a chemical reagent solution, not an antibody, enzyme, or affinity reagent with defined biological target specificity. It functions by chelating divalent and trivalent metal ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+) non-selectively according to EDTA’s stability constants (literature).