Biostatus Limited - Anthraquinone Supplier - Products and Services

 Pharmaceutical Products & Services

Biostatus Limited - Products & Services

Biostatus is delighted to be able to offer two NEW novel anthraquinones:- DRAQ5™ - designed for use in a range of fluorescence detection technologies, in the discrimination of nucleated cells, and APOPTRAK™ - for the positive discrimination of intact cells in apoptotic cell populations using single or multi-parameter analysis.

DRAQ5™

Main Features and Benefits

• Supplied for in vitro research purposes only.
• DRAQ5™ shows excitation at sub-optimal wavelengths including the 488 nm, 568 nm and 633 nm lines, in addition to the optimal 647 nm excitation.
• Fluorescence signature extends from 670 nm into the low infra-red.
• There appears to be no fluorescence enhancement upon binding to DNA
• Capable of stoichiometric binding to DNA inside living and fixed cells, thus reflecting cellular DNA content. Some RNA-associated fluorescence has been observed.
• Rapid uptake into living cells (concentration range 5-10 µM x 1-5 mins; at room temp. or 37°C) providing a high level of nuclear discrimination.
• Laser scanning microscopy employing either 647 nm or 568 nm wavelength excitation of intracellular DRAQ5™, shows fluorescence specifically located in the nucleus revealing nuclear architecture within living or fixed cells. Photobleaching not normally observed.
• Multi-wavelength imaging possible with UV and visible range fluorochromes in combination with DRAQ5™.
• Two-photon excitation of DRAQ5™ has also been achieved using a mode-locked laser (Nd:YLF; 1047nm) excitation.
• Single beam (488 nm) flow cytometry has been used to demonstrate the utility of DRAQ5™-nuclear DNA fluorescence as a discriminating parameter for human blood and lymphoma cells, in combination with fluorochrome-labelled antibodies for the detection of surface antigens and subpopulation recognition.
• No requirement for compensation when using DRAQ5™/FITC combinations in flow cytometry.
  

Basic features

• DRAQ5™ is a pure synthetic compound with high affinity for DNA; stable at room temperature; stable under normal lighting conditions and soluble in water at biologically compatible pH.
• Can be used as a membrane permeant fluorescent dye for the rapid and convenient staining of the nuclear DNA of organisms including live or fixed mammalian cells with minimal RNA-associated fluorescence.
• Excitation possible by a wide range of convenient laser light wavelengths (eg 488, 514, 568, 633 or 647 nm) with optimal excitation at 647 nm.
• Emission spectrum beyond 670 nm providing minimal overlap with the emissions from visible range dyes including GFP
• Does not photobleach
• Compatible with the optics of benchtop flow, laser scanning cytometers and conventional non-UV laser scanning confocal microscopes
• Provided in a convenient ready to use formulation
  

APOPTRAK™

A Novel Deep Red/Low Infra Red Fluorescent Flow Cytometric Probe for the Positive Discrimination of Intact Cells in Apoptotic Cell Populations using Single or Multi-parameter Analysis

Technical Details

• Compound code: DRAQ5NO
• Molecular Weight: 444
• State of original compound: Dark blue crystalline solid
• Stable at room temperature.
• Suggested storage at 4 ° C and under light protect.
• Do not freeze the solution.
• Only For Research Purposes

Summary of Properties and Uses

1. Consider safe handling procedures (see MSDS). Regard the agent as a DNA binding chemical with potentially mutagenic properties as with other DNA intercalators.
2. Fluorometric assays for cell death often incorporate the ability of intact viable cells to remain unstained (negative staining) by a cationic probe, while cells with compromised membranes allow entry of that probe and its subsequent intracellular accumulation or binding (e.g. propidium iodide binding to nuclear DNA) providing a positive staining for the loss of nuclear integrity.
3. APOPTRAK™ is a N-oxide modification of the cell permeant DNA probe DRAQ5™ (www.biostatus.com) with reduced cellular penetration properties, significantly reduced cytotoxicity but retaining the advantageous chromophore and fluorescence characteristics of DRAQ5™. APOPTRAK™ enters normal cells at a sufficient level to allow their positive fluorometric identification by flow cytometry while cells with compromised plasma membranes demonstrate increased uptake.
4. The far-red fluorescence and convenient excitation by 633nm (and 647 nm) wavelength emitting lasers permits the use of APOPTRAK™ staining alone or its incorporation into existing fluorometric protocols for live/dead cell discrimination using visible range fluors.
5. Single parameter analysis permits the positive identification of two cell populations representing intact and compromised cells.
6. Dual parameter analysis (e.g. APOPTRAK™ versus light scatter) can be used to interpret cellular integrity.
7. Multi-parameter analysis (e.g. APOPTRAK™ versus light scatter versus surface binding of fluorescently-tagged annexin V*) permits assay validation and further separation of subpopulations for live/dead cell discrimination by flow cytometry. (* annexin V is a 35-36kD calcium dependent phospholipid binding protein that has a high affinity for the negatively-charged phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) and is a sensitive probe for cells undergoing apoptosis/cell death because PS is translocated from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane during the early stages of the apoptotic process).
8. Importantly APOPTRAK™ will positively label an intact cell containing DNA (providing a positive discrimination signal while compromised membranes/cellular integrity will result in increased labelling). The potential for using APOPTRAK™ in combination with other viability/exclusion dyes is unexplored.
9. Fluorescence excitation for APOPTRAK™ is optimal at 633-647 nm wavelengths with emission extending from 665 nm to beyond 780 nm wavelengths (Emlmax of 700.5 nm for 647 nm excitation).

For more information about our products, or to purchase them online, please visit our website.

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	Biostatus Limited
	56 Charnwood Road Shepshed Leicestershire LE12 9NP UK
Tel.	+44 (0) 1509 558163
Fax	+44 (0) 1509 651061