Quinacrine mustard is a fluorescent DNA-intercalating agent. It selectively binds to adenine-thymine (AT) base pairs over guanine-cytosine (GC) base pairs. Quinacrine mustard has been used to label metaphase chromosomes for karyotyping by autoradiography. It displays excitation/emission maxima of 425/480 nm, respectively.
Quinacrine mustard dihydrochloride is a fluorescent probe.
Questionable carcinogen with experimental neoplastigenic data. Human mutation data reported. Corrosive. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Cland NOx. See also QUINACRINE MUSTARD.