Live Cell Fluorescent Organelle Dyes and Stains

Eukaryotic cells contain subcellular structures responsible for carrying out essential functions for cell survival, including generating energy (ATP), synthesizing and trafficking proteins, and cell waste removal. Due to their specialized functions and well-defined nature, it is often useful in cell biology studies  to label key organelles, such as the cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm,  mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus,  and cytoskeleton proteins (e.g., actin). More specifically, utilizing organelle dyes as counterstains in live cell imaging techniques has proven to be invaluable in the study of cellular function. We offer many fluorescent dyes and markers highly specific for diverse organelles that can be used to monitor cell health, cell death, metabolic activity, autophagy, cell tracking,and cell migration and invasion.

Mitochondria Dyes

Mitochondria are double-membrane-bound organelles, responsible for cellular respiration and the production of energy as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria are also involved in other tasks, such as cell signaling, cellular differentiation, and cell death—as well as maintaining control of the cell cycle and growth. Dependent on membrane potential, fluorescent live cell dyes for mitochondria can be used to analyze overall cell health and vitality, in addition to mitochondrial activity.

Figure 1. Live cell imaging of cellular mitochondria. A) Live HeLa cells co-stained with BioTracker NIR650 Lysosome Dye (SCT139) and BioTracker 488 Green Mitochondria Dye (SCT136). B) Live HeLa cells co-stained with BioTracker ATP-Red live cell dye (SCT045), Hoechst (94403) and a green mitochondria-specific dye showing localization within mitochondria. C) Live HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 633 Red Mitochondria Dye (SCT137).

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
BioTracker 405 Blue Mitochondria Dye	398	440	SCT135
BioTracker 488 Green Mitochondria Dye	490	523	SCT136
BioTracker 633 Red Mitochondria Dye	622	648	SCT137
BioTracker ATP-Red Live Cell Dye	510	570	SCT045
JC-1 Mitochondrial Dye	485	527/590	T4069

Lysosome Dyes

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that act as the waste disposal system of the cell. As highly acidic (pH 4-5) organelles, lysosomes contain a variety of enzymes capable of breaking down various biomolecules including peptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. In addition to biomolecule dissolution, lysosomes are also involved in autophagy and apoptosis. Dependent on the internal acidic environment, live cell fluorescent dyes for lysosomes can be used to analyze lysosomal activity, autophagy events, vesicle trafficking, and overall cell health.

Figure 2. Live cell imaging of cellular lysosomes. A) HeLa cells expressing Mitochondria-GFP were stained with BioTracker 560 Orange Lysosome Dye (SCT019) and Hoechst DNA stain (Blue). B) Live HeLa cells stained with Live Cell Microtubule Stain (Blue) and BioTracker 540 Red Lysosome Dye (SCT141). C) Live Hela cells stained with BioTracker 540 Red Lysosome Dye (SCT141).

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
BioTracker 555 UV-Excitation Red Lysosome Dye	554	583	SCT140
BioTracker 560 Orange Lysosome Dye	535	560	SCT019
BioTracker 540 Red Lysosome Dye	541	634	SCT141
BioTracker NIR633 Lysosome Dye	634	659	SCT138
BioTracker LYSO-TP Live Cell Dye	375	500	SCT044

Nuclear Dyes

Containing nearly all of the cell's genetic material, the cell nucleus is organized in chromosomes, formed from the complexation of long linear DNA with proteins. Live cell nuclear stains can be used either for cell tracking, or as counterstains with other fluorescent dyes or cell reporters. We offer dyes with several color options, including long-wavelength, far-red nuclear dyes. In comparison to traditional UV excitable DNA dyes (e.g., Hoechst 33342), long-wavelength nuclear dyes demonstrate reduced cellular toxicity during live cell imaging experiments.

Figure 3. Live cell imaging of the cellular nucleus. A) Live HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 488 Green Nuclear Dye (SCT120). B) Live cell staining of HeLa cells using the BioTracker NIR694 Nuclear Dye (water-based) and FITC-phalloidin. C) Fixed cell staining of HeLa cells using BioTracker NIR694 Nuclear Dye (in DMSO), BioTracker 488 Green Mitochondria Dye and CF405-phalloidin.

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
Hoechst DNA Stain Solution	350	461	94403
BioTracker 488 Green Nuclear Dye	500	515	SCT120
BioTracker 650 Red Nuclear Dye	650	675	SCT119
BioTracker NIR694 Nuclear Dye (water-based)	662	694	SCT117
BioTracker NIR694 Nuclear Dye (in DMSO)	662	694	SCT118

Cell Membrane Dyes

Protecting and sequestering the cell interior, the cell membrane is composed primarily of lipids and proteins. In addition to controlling movement across the bilayer, cell membranes are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as cell adhesion, ion conductivity, cell signaling, and extracellular structure attachment. BioTracker cytoplasmic membrane dyes are lipophilic carbocyanines capable of labeling cell membranes in a stable and non-toxic manner. Due to their low cytotoxicity, these dyes are suitable for long-term cell tracking and imaging. Unlike PKH dyes, BioTracker cytoplasmic membrane dyes are ready-to-use and do not require a complicated hypo-osmotic labeling protocol. BioTracker dyes can be added directly to normal culture media to label either suspended or adherent cells.

Figure 4. Live cell imaging of cellular membranes. A) Live HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 400 Blue Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye (SCT109). B) Live cell staining of Hela cells using BioTracker 490 Green Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye (SCT106). C) Live cell staining of Hela cells using BioTracker NIR750 Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye (SCT113).

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
BioTracker 400 Blue Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	366	441	SCT109
BioTracker 490 Green Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	484	501	SCT106
BioTracker 555 Orange Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	549	565	SCT107
BioTracker 655 Red Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	644	665	SCT108
BioTracker NIR680 Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	683	724	SCT112
BioTracker NIR750 Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	748	780	SCT113
BioTracker NIR770 Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	767	806	SCT114
BioTracker NIR790 Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye	786	820	SCT115

Cytoplasm Dyes

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
CFSE, BioReagent, suitable for fluorescence	492	517	21888
Calcein-AM, BioReagent, suitable for fluorescence	496	516	17783

Cytoskeleton Dyes

As a complex network of interlinking filaments and microtubules extending throughout the cytoplasm, the cytoskeleton provides structural support to the cell and controls many processes, including endocytosis, cytokinesis, cell migration, invasion, and movement. In contrast to traditional, fixed F-actin stains (e.g., conjugated phalloidin dyes), BioTracker microtubule cytoskeleton dyes are cell-permeable paclitaxel probes that can be imaged without a wash step. Offered in green and red fluorescent color options, these simple, rapid and sensitive stains can be used to monitor cytoskeleton dynamics in real time.

Figure 5. Live cell imaging of the cytoskeleton. A) Live HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 488 Green Microtubule Cytoskeleton Dye (SCT142) and BioTracker NIR650 Lysosome Dye (SCT139). B) Mitotic spindle stained with BioTracker 488 Green Microtubule Cytoskeleton Dye (SCT142). DNA is stained with BioTracker NIR694 Nuclear Dye (water-based) (SCT117).

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
BioTracker 488 Green Microtubule Cytoskeleton Dye	500	515	SCT142

Lipid Dyes

As fundamental building blocks of the cell, lipids serve many important cellular functions but have also been implicated in various diseases, including cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Intracellular lipid droplets are cytoplasmic organelles involved in the storage and regulation of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. BioTracker lipid dye rapidly stains lipid droplets in either live or fixed cells without any wash steps and with minimal background staining of cellular membranes or other organelles. Live cells may subsequently fixed and permeabilized after staining with BioTracker lipid droplet dye.

Figure 6. Live cell imaging of cellular lipids. A) Live HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 488 Green Lipid Dye (SCT144), Hoechst (94403) and BioTracker 655 Red Cytoplasmic Membrane Dye (SCT108). B) HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 610 Red Lipid Droplet Dye (magenta) and BioTracker 488 Green Nuclear Dye (SCT120). C) HeLa cells stained with BioTracker 488 Green Lipid Dye (SCT144).

Product Description	Excitation (nm)	Emission (nm)	Product No.
BioTracker 488 Green Lipid Droplet Dye	427	585	SCT144

Conclusion

Restricting cell culture imaging techniques to fixed tissues and cells limits the information a researcher can obtain about the system of interest, as the observer is only able to capture a moment in cellular time. Our live cell fluorescent organelle dyes permit the selective staining of specific organelles without increased cytotoxicity. Organelle staining in live cells can help researchers to confirm the identity of specific proteins or targets within cells and provide a better understanding of cellular processes. Our broad portfolio ensures we have the organelle-specific dye in the color you need for your live cell imaging experiments.