PMSF is a serine protease inhibitor used to prevent protein degradation during cell lysis and protein extraction. It is particularly effective against enzymes like trypsin and chymotrypsin, which can degrade proteins of interest.
PMSF is highly toxic and unstable in aqueous solutions, so it must be prepared fresh and handled with care. Despite its challenges, PMSF is a critical reagent in protein research, ensuring the integrity of samples during purification and analysis.
It is often used in combination with other protease inhibitors for maximum effectiveness.