28718-90-3

DAPI is a fluorescent probe which is commonly used to stain DNA and chromosomes for fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry applications. It forms a fluorescent complex by attaching in the minor groove of A-T rich sequences of DNA. DAPI is often used as a counterstain, as its ultraviolet (max 358 nm) excitation and blue (max 461 nm) emission wavelengths separate it nicely from many popular primary fluorophores. It can be used on either fixed or live cells, although its low permeability in live cells demands that higher concentrations be used.

Yellow Solid

4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride is used as a cell-permeable DNA-binding dye. Binds preferentially to DNA rich in adenine and thymine.It is used in flow cytometry for measuring nuclear DNA content or for sorting isolated chromosomes.

DAPI is used for photofootprinting of DNA, to detect annealed probes in blotting applications by specifically visualizing the double-stranded complex and as a cell permeable fluorescent minor groove-binding probe for DNA. For staining DNA in agarose gels

Cell permeable fluorescent minor groove-binding probe for DNA. Binds to the minor groove of double-stranded DNA (preferentially to AT rich DNA), forming a stable complex which fluoresces approximately 20 times greater than DAPI alone.

-20°C

Russell et al. (1975), A simple cytochemical technique for demonstration of DNA in cells infected with mycoplasmas and viruses; Nature, 253 461 Tarnowski et al. (1991), DAPI as a useful stain for nuclear quantitation; Biotech Histochem., 66 297 Estandarte et al. (2016), The use of DAPI fluorescence lifetime imaging for investigating chromatin condensation in human chromosomes; Sci. Rep., 6 31417