Interactions between pairs of DNA-specific fluorescent stains bound to mammalian cells

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/27.1.86583· OSTI ID:5825845

Langlois, R G; Jensen, R H

The interactions between DNA-specific fluorescence stains complexed with mitotic Chinese hamster cells were studied by spectrofluorometric and flow fluorometric techniques. The degree of binding interactions and of energy transfer between stains was determined from the intensities and shapes of fluorescence emission spectra of cells complexed with pair of stains. The stain pairs Hoechst 33258-chromomycin A/sub 3/, Hoechst 33258-ethidium bromide, and chromomycin A/sub 3/-ethidium bromide exhibited efficient energy transfer from the short wavelength absorber (donor) to the long wavelength absorber (acceptor), and little competitive or cooperative binding of stains. The stain pair quinacrine-ethidium bromide exhibited both energy transfer and competitive binding. None of the stain pairs showed evidence of strong electronic interactions between stains. The magnitude of energy transfer interactions was used to estimate the quantity and distribution of the stains molecules complexed to mitotic cells. The results indicate a fairly even distribution of each of these stains along the DNA of intracellular mitotic chromosomes.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5825845
• Journal Information: J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States), Vol. 27:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DNA
STAINS
BINDING ENERGY
CELL CULTURES
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
FLUORESCENCE
HAMSTERS
HISTOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
OVARIES
ANIMALS
BODY
ENERGY
FEMALE GENITALS
GONADS
LUMINESCENCE
MAMMALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
550200* - Biochemistry
550300 - Cytology