Manganese(II) chloride solution

Manganese (II) chloride solution has been used:

• in manganese enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) to study neuronal disease and manganese toxicity
• in high ionic strength reaction mixture to determine RNA polymerase I and II activity
• in reverse transcription reaction mix as a source of Mn₂⁺ ions

Manganese (II) chloride (MnCl₂) might play a key role in integrin activation. Manganese is indispensable for brain function and is an essential cofactor for several key enzymes like superoxide dismutase and enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis. Manganese can modulate iron and calcium homeostasis. Manganese is also used in the magnetic resonance imaging to increase contrast while examining neuronal connections and brain cytoarchitecture. High levels of manganese is toxic to central nervous system and causes Parkinson′s like symptoms called as manganism. MnCl₂ has been used in reverse transcription reaction mix to enhance the template-switching efficiency.

MnCl₂ solution is a source of manganese ions and has a variety of biological uses. In biochemistry, it can be used as a cofactor in restriction enzymes, such as BamH and EcoR V. In molecular biology, Mn₂⁺ can be substituted for Mg₂⁺ as a divalent metal ion to facilitate DNase I activity in presence of Ca₂⁺.