hexadimethrine bromide

Polybrene (hexadimethrine bromide) is a cationic polymer primarily utilized as a research reagent to enhance the efficiency of viral transduction into mammalian cells by neutralizing the charge repulsion between the viral particles and the cell membrane. Historically, it was employed clinically as a heparin antagonist to reverse anticoagulation, although it has largely been superseded by protamine sulfate due to toxicity concerns. Emerging research, particularly in neuro-oncology, has identified polybrene as a potential tool for glioblastoma subtyping. It demonstrates selective cytotoxicity against neural progenitor-like (NPC-like) glioblastoma cells by activating calcineurin (a calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase), while mesenchymal-like (MES-like) cells remain resistant. This property allows for a rapid and cost-effective method to profile tumor heterogeneity and potentially inform personalized therapeutic strategies.

Brand names

Polybrene

Other names

Hexadimethrine bromide1,5-dimethyl-1,5-diazaundecamethylene polymethobromide