Interaction of cyanine dyes with nucleic acids: XXXI. Using of polymethine cyanine dyes for the visualization of DNA in agarose gels

J Biochem Biophys Methods. 2003 Jul 31;57(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/s0165-022x(03)00036-8.

Abstract

Fifteen polymethine cyanine dyes were studied as fluorescent stains for DNA in electrophoretic gels. Among studied cyanines, two dyes CPent V and CCyan 2-O most effectively visualized covalently closed and linear double-stranded DNA molecules in gels under standard conditions using UV-illumination, green filter and black-and-white photo film. Ethidium bromide was 1.2-1.6 times more effective as compared to cyanine dyes in staining of DNA in the concentration range of 8-18 ng, while studied cyanines were more sensitive to DNA quantity above 50 ng.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbocyanines / chemistry*
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / methods
  • Ethidium / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nucleic Acids / chemistry*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Carbocyanines
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Nucleic Acids
  • DNA
  • Ethidium