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E8751

Sigma-Aldrich

Ethidium bromide

~95% (HPLC)

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Synonym(s):
3,8-Diamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium bromide, EtBr, Homidium bromide
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C21H20BrN3
CAS Number:
1239-45-8
Molecular Weight:
394.31
Beilstein:
3642536
EC Number:
214-984-6
MDL number:
MFCD00011724
PubChem Substance ID:
24894683
NACRES:
NB.22

Assay

~95% (HPLC)

Quality Level

200

mp

260-262 °C (dec.) (lit.)

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 (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.

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.

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Product No.
Description
Pricing

Pictograms

Skull and crossbonesHealth hazard
GHS06,GHS08

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

H302 - H330 - H341

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 1 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Muta. 2

Storage Class Code

6.1A - Combustible, acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

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  4. What is the best working concentration of Product E8751, Ethidium bromide?

    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.  Ethidium bromide can also be incorporated into the gel and running buffer at 0.5 μg/mL, and visualized immediately after electrophoresis.

  5. How can I make a stock solution of Product E8751, Ethidium bromide?

    Ethidium bromide is soluble in water at 100 mg/mL. Per Crary, B. and Boyrsenko, M., Biotechniques, 4, 98-101 (1986), stock solutions of ethidium bromide in water or PBS are stable for at least two years at room temperature if protected from light.

  6. How can I dispose of solutions containing Product E8751, Ethidium bromide?

    Ethidium bromide is mutagenic, and ultimately has to be destroyed by incineration. It can be removed from buffer solutions by several methods to reduce the volume of waste. See the product sheet for more details.

  7. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

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