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Safety Information

E8751

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethidium bromide

~95% (HPLC)

Synonym(s):

3,8-Diamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium bromide, EtBr, Homidium bromide

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About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C21H20BrN3
CAS Number:
1239-45-8
Molecular Weight:
394.31
Beilstein:
3642536
EC Number:
214-984-6
MDL number:
MFCD00011724
UNSPSC Code:
41105322
PubChem Substance ID:
24894683
NACRES:
NB.22

Assay

~95% (HPLC)

Quality Level

200

mp

260-262 °C (dec.) (lit.)

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 (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.

Frameshift mutagen which intercalates double-stranded DNA and RNA.

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.

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Product No.
Description
Pricing

Pictograms

Skull and crossbonesHealth hazard
GHS06,GHS08

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

H302,H330,H341

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 1 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Muta. 2

Storage Class Code

6.1A - Combustible acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Regulatory Listings

Regulatory Listings are mainly provided for chemical products. Only limited information can be provided here for non-chemical products. No entry means none of the components are listed. It is the user’s obligation to ensure the safe and legal use of the product.

JAN Code

E8751-1G:4548173195797
E8751-10G:4548173195773
E8751-VAR:
E8751-250MG:4548173195803
E8751-BULK:
E8751-25G:4548173195810
E8751-10X1G:4548173195780
E8751-5G:4548173195827

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Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number
MKCM8424
MKCJ7007
MKCG5265
MKCC1708
MKBX3617V

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