Thermo Scientific NeuCode amino acids augment the level of multiplexing achievable for the metabolic labeling of proteins for mass spectrometry analysis. NeuCode Lysine-521 (1,2,3,4,5-¹³C₅, 6,6-D₂,¹⁵N L-Lysine-2HCl) may also be used with traditional SILAC to improve flexibility of multiplexing options or to reduce complexity of analysis.

General features of NeuCode SILAC labeling:
• Labeling efficiency—100% label incorporation into proteins of living cells without toxicity
• Compatible—may be multiplexed with existing SILAC amino acids
• Time-saving—not necessary to label to 100% incorporation if only using heavy amino acids
• High-quality supplements—heavy amino acids with >98% isotope purity

Stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) is a powerful method to identify and quantify relative differential changes in complex protein samples. NeuCode metabolic labeling is similar to SILAC, but differs in that the labeling only utilizes heavy amino acids. The increased multiplexing capability of NeuCode amino acids is possible through the use of mass defects from extra neutrons in the stable isotopes. These small mass differences may be resolved on high resolution mass spectrometers (Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap™ Elite™, Orbitrap™ Fusion™ Tribrid™, and Orbitrap™ Fusion™ Lumos™ Tribrid™ mass spectrometers). Use of only heavy amino acids eliminates the need for 100% incorporation of amino acids used for SILAC (both heavy and light), and may be especially useful for studies with primary cells.

NeuCode amino acids are used together with specialized cell culture media that are deficient in essential amino acids. Heavy L-lysine is used for SILAC analysis of peptides that have been digested with trypsin or LysC. NeuCode Lysine-521 may be used with ¹³C₆ ¹⁵N₂ L-Lysine-2HCl (NeuCode Lysine-602), NeuCode Lysine-440, and NeuCode Lysine-080 for NeuCode four-plex experiments and may be combined with light lysine and 4,4,5,5-D₄ L-Lysine for three-plex experiments.

Related products
L-Lysine-2HCl, 4,4,5,5-D₄
¹³C₆ ¹⁵N₂ L-Lysine-2HCl
NeuCode Lysine-080
Neucode Lysine-440

NeuCode is a trademark of WARF.