Description
Application Frameshift mutagen which intercalates double-stranded DNA6 and RNA.7
  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.1,2,3 It has been shown to bind to single-stranded DNA （although not as strongly） and triple-stranded DNA.4 Because of its ability to bind to DNA, EtBr is an inhibitor of DNA polymerase.5
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 g in glass btl
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 immediay after electrophoresis. 

Properties
assay 95%
mp 260-262 °C （dec.）（lit.）
UV absorption λmax 506 nm

Safety
Personal Protective Equipment Eyeshields, Faceshields, full-face particle respirator type N100 （US）, Gloves, respirator cartridge type N100 （US）, type P1 （EN143） respirator filter, type P3 （EN 143） respirator cartridges
Hazard Codes T+
Risk Statements 22-26-36/37/38-68
Safety Statements 26-28-36/37-45
RIDADR UN2811 6.1/PG 1
WGK Germany 3
RTECS SF7950000

References
Cited Reference 1. Moore, S.P. , Sutherland, B.M., A densitometric nondestructive microassay for DNA quantitation. Anal. Biochem. 144, 15, （1985）
  2. El-Hamalawi, A., The fluorometric determination of nucleic acids in pea seeds by use of ethidium bromide complexes. Anal. Biochem. 67, 384, （1975）
  3. Karsten, U. , Wollenberger, A., Improvements in the ethidium bromide method for direct fluorometric estimation of DNA and RNA in cell and tissue homogenates. Anal. Biochem. 77, 464, （1977）
  4. Scaria, P.V. , Shafer, R.H., Binding of ethidium bromide to a DNA triple helix. Evidence for intercalation. J. Biol. Chem. 266, 5417, （1991）
  5. Elliott, W.H. Biochem. J. 86, 562, （1963）
  6. J. Mol. Biol. 27, 87, （1967） Abstract
  7. Biochemistry 12, 214, （1973） Abstract
reference Sambrook, J. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor, , （1989） 6-44, 6
  Severini, A. , Morgan, A.R., An assay for proteinases and their inhibitors based on DNA/ethidium bromide fluorescence. Anal. Biochem. 193, 83, （1991）
  Bauer, W. , Vinograd, J., Interaction of closed circular DNA with intercalative dyes. II. The Free energy of superhelix formation in V40 DNA. Mol. Biol. 47, 410, （1970）
  Gorman, A. Techniques in Apoptosis: A User’s Guide London, UK , （1996）, 7
Merck Merck 13,4751
Beilstein Beil. 22,V,11,352
  Aldrich MSDS 1, 864:C / Corp MSDS 1 （1）, 1549:B / FT-IR 1 （2）, 873:B / FT-IR 2 （3）, 3935:C / IR-Spectra （3）, 1399:A / IR-Spectra （2）, 1220:B / RegBook 1 （2）, 2635:A / Sax 6, 885 / Sigma FT-IR 1 （2）, 136:D / Stains and Dyes Ref, 318 / Structure Index 1, 415:E:4

 Printable Reviews
Product ReviewsReview This Product