Ethidium bromide
SIAL/E8751 - ~95% (HPLC)
Synonym: 3,8-
CAS Number: 1239-45-8
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C21H20BrN3
Molecular Weight: 394.31
EC Number: 214-984-6
MDL Number: MFCD00011724
Linear Formula: C21H20BrN3
Product Type: Chemical
assay | ~95% (HPLC) |
InChI | 1S/C21H19N3.BrH/c1-2-24-2 |
InChI key | ZMMJGEGLRURXTF-UHFFFAOYSA |
mp | 260-262 °C (dec.) (lit.) |
Quality Level | 200 |
SMILES string | [Br-].CC[n+]1c(-c2ccccc2) |
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. |
Packaging: | 1, 5, 10, 25 g in glass bottle |
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. |
Symbol | GHS06,GHS08 |
Signal word | Danger |
Hazard statements | H302 - H330 - H341 |
Precautionary statements | P202 - P260 - P264 - P270 - P301 + P312 - P304 + P340 + P310 |
Hazard Codes | T+ |
Risk Statements | 22-26-68 |
Safety Statements | 28-36/37-45-63 |
RIDADR | UN 2811PIH 6.1 / PGI |
WGK Germany | WGK 1 |
Flash Point(F) | Not applicable |
Flash Point(C) | Not applicable |
Purity | ~95% (HPLC) |
mp | 260-262 °C (dec.) (lit.) |
UNSPSC | 41105322 |