Quinacrine is an acridine compound with diverse biological activities that has also been used as a stain for DNA and RNA in fixed cells and for fluorescent tracking of acidic vesicles, such as lysosomes, in live cells.1,2,3,4 It has anti-protozoal properties, potently prevents misfolding of prion protein (EC50 = 0.3 μM), blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels (IC50 = 3.3 μM), and inhibits aldehyde oxidase (IC50 = 3.3 μM).1,2,3,4 Quinacrine is also an effective riboflavin antagonist, associating with the riboflavin-binding protein (Ki = 6.7 μM), and an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (EC50 = 14.4 μM).5,6 At much higher doses, quinacrine inhibits phospholipase A2 activity.7,8 Quinacrine binds to nucleic acids and has been used in fixed cells to stain DNA and RNA with excitation/emission maxima of 436/525 nm, respectively.9 In live cells, it is taken up into acidic vesicles, such as lysosomes, and can be used to for long-term imaging with an excitation of 458 nm and emission in the 470-580 nm range.10WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.
