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E1510

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethidium bromide solution

BioReagent, for molecular biology, 10 mg/mL in H2O

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Synonym(s):
3,8-Diamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium bromide, EtBr, Homidium bromide
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C21H20BrN3
CAS Number:
1239-45-8
Molecular Weight:
394.31
Beilstein:
3642536
MDL number:
MFCD00011724
UNSPSC Code:
41105322
PubChem Substance ID:
24894418
NACRES:
NA.31

grade

for molecular biology

Quality Level

200

product line

BioReagent

concentration

10 mg/mL in H2O

technique(s)

electrophoresis: suitable

suitability

suitable for gel electrophoresis

SMILES string

[Br-].CC[n+]1c(-c2ccccc2)c3cc(N)ccc3c4ccc(N)cc14

InChI

1S/C21H19N3.BrH/c1-2-24-20-13-16(23)9-11-18(20)17-10-8-15(22)12-19(17)21(24)14-6-4-3-5-7-14;/h3-13,23H,2,22H2,1H3;1H

InChI key

ZMMJGEGLRURXTF-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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Application

Ethidium bromide solution has been used:
  • as a stain to visualize U937 cells to assess cell viability
  • to detect polymerase chain reaction products
  • in agarose gel electrophoresis based gel retardation assay

Ethidium bromide (EtBr) is the most commonly used nucleic acid stain for PAGE or agarose gel electrophoresis. The fluorescence of EtBr increases 21-fold upon binding to double-stranded RNA and 25-fold on binding double-stranded DNA so that destaining the background is not necessary with a low stain concentration (10 μg/ml). Ethidium bromide has been used in a number of fluorimetric assays for nucleic acids. It has been shown to bind to single-stranded DNA (although not as strongly) and triple-stranded DNA. Because of its ability to bind to DNA, EtBr is an inhibitor of DNA polymerase.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Ethidium bromide intercalates double-stranded DNA and RNA and acts as a frameshift mutagen. It can also be used in conjunction with acridine orange to differentiate between viable, apoptotic and necrotic cells.

Reconstitution

For staining a gel after electrophoresis, dilute a sample of the stock solution to 0.5 μg/ml with water and incubate the gel for 15-30 min. Destaining is usually not needed but can be carried out in water for 15 min if decreased background is necessary. The DNA bands can then be detected on a UV light box (254 nm wavelength). Ethidium bromide can also be incorporated into the gel and running buffer at 0.5 μg/ml and visualized immediately after electrophoresis.

Other Notes

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related product

Product No.
Description
Pricing

Pictograms

Skull and crossbonesHealth hazard
GHS06,GHS08

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

H331,H341

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 3 Inhalation - Muta. 2

WGK

nwg

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

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