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E1510

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethidium bromide solution

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

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
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

2024 CiteAb Award Winner for Supplier Succeeding in Parkinson′s Research

Pictograms

Skull and crossbonesHealth hazard
GHS06,GHS08

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

H331 - H341

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 3 Inhalation - Muta. 2

Storage Class Code

6.1D - Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects

WGK

nwg

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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