| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Target | |
| Alternative names | Poly(I:C) potassium |
| CAS no. | |
| Applications | |
| Molecular formula | (C10H13N4O8P)x.(C9H14N3O8P)x.xK |
| SMILES | |
| Storage | |
| Shipping | |
| Catalog no. (Mfr.) | |
| Main SKU |
Compound Overview
Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid potassium, also known as Poly(I:C) potassium, is a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA and an agonist of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and the retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors RIG-I and MDA5. It can be used as a vaccine adjuvant to enhance innate and adaptive immune responses and to alter the tumor microenvironment, and it can directly trigger cancer cells to undergo apoptosis[1][2][3]. It has the formula (C10H13N4O8P)x.(C9H14N3O8P)x.xK.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| CAS Number | 31852-29-6 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | (C10H13N4O8P)x.(C9H14N3O8P)x.xK |
| SMILES | O[C@@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](COP(O)(O)=O)O[C@H]1N2C3=C(C(N=CN3)=O)N=C2.O[C@@H]4[C@H](O)[C@@H](COP(O)(O)=O)O[C@H]4N5C(N=C(C=C5)N)=O.[x].[x] |
| Target | TLR3 |
| Signaling Pathway | Immunology/Inflammation; Apoptosis |
| Storage | Please store the product under the recommended conditions in the Certificate of Analysis. |
| Shipping | Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere. |
Literature Cited
Sources cited in this description and in the In Vitro & In Vivo Data tab. Peer-reviewed publications that used this product are listed under References.
Safety
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, and not for human or veterinary use. Handle in accordance with your institution's chemical hygiene plan.
In Vitro
In WM793, WM278, WM239A, WM9 and 1205Lu cells, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid potassium (20 ng/mL; 24 hours) inhibits cell growth[1]. In 1205Lu cells, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid potassium (200 ng/mL; 24 hours) induces apoptosis[1]. In melanoma cells, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid potassium (3 ng/mL; 24 hours; 1205Lu cells) induces IFN-β expression, as seen in 1205Lu cells. Silencing of RIG-I and MDA-5 showed that induction of IFN-β by Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid depended on RIG-I and MDA-5, respectively, and on IPS-1[1]. For injection, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid potassium is prepared by resuspending in sterile saline at a concentration of 2 mg/ml and heating to 50 °C to ensure complete solubilization, then allowing it to cool to room temperature naturally, which ensures proper annealing of double-stranded RNA. Poly I:C is kept at -20 °C until use[3].
Cell Viability Assay[1]
| Cell Line | WM793, WM278, WM239A, WM9 and 1205Lu cells |
|---|---|
| Concentration | 20 ng/mL |
| Incubation Time | 24 hours |
| Result | Strongly reduced viability from 100% in controls to 20%–50% within 24 hours. |
Apoptosis Analysis[1]
| Cell Line | 1205Lu cells |
|---|---|
| Concentration | 200 ng/mL |
| Incubation Time | 24 hours |
| Result | Induced apoptosis in 1205Lu cells. |
RT-PCR[1]
| Cell Line | WM793, WM278, WM239A, WM9 and 1205Lu cells |
|---|---|
| Concentration | 3 ng/mL |
| Incubation Time | 24 hours |
| Result | Induced IFN-β expression in melanoma cells. |
Western Blot Analysis[1]
| Cell Line | 1205Lu cells |
|---|---|
| Concentration | 5 ng/mL |
| Incubation Time | 24 hours |
| Result | Revealed active subunits of caspase-9 and caspase-8 in melanoma cells. |
In Vivo
In NOD/SCID immunodeficient mice, Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid potassium (50 μg; i.v.; on days 3, 6, and 9 after tumor inoculation) exhibits antitumor activity[1].
| Animal Model | NOD/SCID immunodeficient mice (1205Lu cells)[1] |
|---|---|
| Dosage | 50 μg |
| Administration | I.v.; on days 3, 6, and 9 after tumor inoculation |
| Result | Reduced the size of metastases and the total amount of tumor tissue, and the level of human DNA was 50% lower in mice. |
Data provided by the manufacturer. Numbered citations refer to the Literature Cited list in the product description.
Need this compound in a format that drops straight into your assay? We can tailor formulation, chemistry, and documentation so your results stay consistent across runs and re-orders.
- Format options: solid or pre-dissolved solution (choose solvent), target concentration, aliquots, light/moisture-protected packaging
- Chemistry options: free base/acid vs salt forms, hydrate/solvate preference, stereoisomer control (single enantiomer or racemate), close analogs
- Add-on labels & handles: D/¹³C/¹⁵N isotopes (LC-MS/internal standards), azide/alkyne or other functional handles for conjugation
- QC & documentation: standard COA or enhanced analytical pack (HPLC/LC-MS/NMR), chiral purity, residual solvents, water content (KF), method-specific specs
- Scale & continuity: mg to gram scale, bulk pricing, lot reservation, repeat-order continuity
To quote quickly, tell us: compound name + CAS/structure (SMILES or mol file), intended assay context, solvent preference, salt/stereochemistry requirements, purity/QC level, and the amount (mg–g).
Can’t find the compound you’re looking for?
Send the CAS or structure and your specs. We can help source it, suggest close equivalents, or discuss custom synthesis with the right QC documentation (RUO).
Targeting coronaviral inflammation: aptamer-based strategies for emerging threats. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2026 Feb 13;11(1):54. PMID: 41680122
Oncolytic adenovirus delivery of neoantigens sensitizes low-mutation tumors to anti-PD-1 therapy and prevents metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2025 Dec 23;10(1):410. PMID: 41429778
Radiation-induced amphiregulin drives tumour metastasis. Nature 2025 Jul;643(8072):810-819. PMID: 40369065
Imeta. 2026 Feb 24.
Psoriasis modulates inflammatory bowel disease risk and intestinal epithelium lipid metabolism via IL-1β-producing macrophages. Cell Metab 2026 May 5;38(5):963-980.e12. PMID: 41856104
Spatiotemporal dynamics of CXCL10 encode contextual immune information revealed by the genetically encoded fluorescent sensor. Immunity 2025 Sep 9;58(9):2320-2335.e9. PMID: 40818452
Selective translational control by PABPC1 phase separation regulates blast crisis and therapy resistance in chronic myeloid leukaemia. Nat Cell Biol 2025 Apr;27(4):683-695. PMID: 40102686
Cancer-Specific RNA Modifications in Tumour-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Tumour Growth. J Extracell Vesicles 2025 May;14(5):e70083. PMID: 40326665
Bunyavirus SFTSV NSs utilizes autophagy to escape the antiviral innate immune response. Autophagy 2024 Oct;20(10):2133-2145. PMID: 38762760
De novo design of protein condensation inhibitors by targeting an allosteric site of cGAS. Nat Commun 2025 Jun 3;16(1):5140. PMID: 40461475
