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Rapid staining methods for analysis of deocyribonucleic acid and protein in mammalian cells

Journal Article · · J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/24.1.56392· OSTI ID:7256597

Quantitative fluorescent staining and analysis of cellular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were accomplished using three groups of reagents having different mechanisms of action for DNA binding. These reagents included the fluorescent antitumor antibiotics mithramycin, chromomycin A/sub 3/ and olivomycin; the Feulgen reagents acriflavine and flavophosphine N; and the intercalating dyes ethidium bromide and propidium iodide. Propidium iodide (PI) was used in combination with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to stain both cellular DNA and protein, respectively. Multiparameter analysis of PI/FITC-stained cells provided a direct correlation of DNA and protein for cells in all stages of the cell cycle. Nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio determinations were also performed on PI/FITC-stained cells by analysis of the time duration of the red (DNA) and green (protein) fluorescence signals from each cell. These staining and analysis techniques provide alternative methods for directly determining the quantitative relationship between cellular DNA and protein and will be extremely useful in investigations where fluctuations of these parameters are of importance for assessing experimental results.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM
OSTI ID:
7256597
Journal Information:
J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Histochem. Cytochem.; (United States) Vol. 24:1; ISSN JHCYA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English