Gibco™ Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium-Ethanolamine (ITS -X) (100X), Sterile

Gibco™ Insulin,-Transferrin-Selenium-Ethanolamine (ITS-X) is used as a basal medium supplement in order to reduce the amount of fetal bovine serum (FBS) used to culture cells. ITS-X solution is routinely used, in combination with 2–4% FBS, to support cell types that require ethanolamine, such as bronchial epithelial cells.

Insulin promotes glucose and amino acid uptake, lipogenesis, intracellular transport, and the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. Transferrin is an iron carrier and may also help to reduce toxic levels of oxygen radicals and peroxide. Selenium, as sodium selenite is a co-factor for glutathione peroxidase and other proteins that is used as an anti-oxidant in media. Ethanolamine is a precursor of phospho-glycerides which are essential to the structure of the plasma membrane and cellular organelles.