Ethidium bromide solution
SIGMA/46067 - for fluorescence, ~1% in H2O
Synonym: 3,8-
CAS Number: 1239-45-8
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C21H20BrN3
Molecular Weight: 394.31
MDL Number: MFCD00011724
Linear Formula: C21H20BrN3
Product Type: Chemical
| concentration | ~1% in H2O |
| fluorescence | λex 480 nm; λem 620 nm in H2O |
| λex 518 nm; λem 605 nm (bound to DNA) | |
| λex 530 nm; λem 600 nm in 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (upon binding to DNA) | |
| grade | for fluorescence |
| InChI | 1S/C21H19N3.BrH/c1-2-24-2 |
| InChI key | ZMMJGEGLRURXTF-UHFFFAOYSA |
| Quality Level | 100  |
| SMILES string | [Br-].CC[n+]1c(-c2ccccc2) |
| storage temp. | 2-8°C |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Symbol |   GHS06,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H331 - H341 |
| Precautionary statements | P202 - P261 - P271 - P280 - P304 + P340 + P311 - P308 + P313 |
| Hazard Codes | T |
| Risk Statements | 23-68 |
| Safety Statements | 35-36/37-45 |
| RIDADR | UN 2810 6.1 / PGIII |
| WGK Germany | nwg |
| Flash Point(F) | Not applicable |
| Flash Point(C) | Not applicable |
| Storage Temp. | 2-8°C |
| UNSPSC | 12161505 |