Abstract:
Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a variety of substituted and unsubstituted carbazolylvinyl dyes and their use for detecting and quantifying poly(amino acids), including peptides, polypeptides and proteins. The labeled proteins or peptides are highly colored, but are also detected by their strong fluorescence enhancement. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophoretic gels, and on solid supports, including blots and dipsticks. The present method of staining is highly sensitive, extremely facile, and relatively non-selective and can be accomplished without the use of organic solvent additives.
Abstract:
Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.
Abstract:
Chemical stain compounds containing a fluorophore and a reducible quenching unit are disclosed. The reducible quenching unit quenches the fluorophore while in its oxidized state. Upon reduction, the quenching properties of the quenching unit are diminished or eliminated. The chemical compounds can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of bacterial cells, monitoring the electron transport chain function of bacterial cells, monitoring the oxidation state of non-biological systems, and assaying the effectiveness of antibacterial or antimicrobial agents.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of analyzing the viability of a sample of cells using an aqueous solution comprising two fluorescent dyes. Dye I has the formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl; Z.sup.- is a biologically compatible counterion;X is O; S; Se; or NR.sup.15, where R.sup.15 is H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; or CR.sup.16 R.sup.17, where R.sup.16 and R.sup.17, which may be the same or different, are independently H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or the carbons of R.sup.16 and R.sup.17 taken in combination complete a five or six membered saturated ring; and the benzazolium is optionally further substituted;n=0, 1, or 2;Y is --CR.sup.3 .dbd.CR.sup.4 --; p and m=0 or 1, such that p+m=1;R.sup.5 is a C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkenyl, C.sub.1-6 polyalkenyl, C.sub.1-6 alkynyl or C.sub.1-6 polyalkynyl group; or R.sup.5 is an OMEGA;R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, which may be the same or different, are independently H; or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkenyl, C.sub.1-6 polyalkenyl, C.sub.1-6 alkynyl or C.sub.1-6 polyalkynyl group; or halogen; or --OR.sup.8, --SR.sup.8, --(NR.sup.8 R.sup.9), where R.sup.8 and R.sup.9, which may be the same or different, are independently H; or alkyl groups having 1-6 carbons; or 1-2 substituted or unsubstituted alicyclic, heteroalicyclic, aromatic, or heteroaromatic rings, containing 1-4 heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are O, N, or S; or R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 taken in combination are --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --L--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -- where L=--O--, --NR.sup.10 --, --CH.sub.2 -- or a single bond where R.sup.10 is H or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbons; or --OSO.sub.2 R.sup.19 where R.sup.19 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or C.sub.1-6 perfluoroalkyl, or aryl; or an OMEGA; or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, taken in combination are --(CH.sub.2).sub.v -- where v=3 or 4, or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 form a fused aromatic ring that is optionally further substituted;such that at least one of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, or a substituent on the aromatic ring formed by R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, is an OMEGA; where OMEGA is a cyclic substituent that is attached by a single bond.Fluorescent Dye II selectively stains either viable or non-viable cells with a detectable fluorescent response that is different from the fluorescent response of Dye I. The stained cells are illuminated at a suitable absorption wavelength, and the fluorescent response is detected to distinguish viable and non-viable cells based on the fluorescent response.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of forming distinctive intravacuolar structures that are unique to fungal cells and can be correlated with cell viability. The preferred dyes of the present invention are described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1 is independently H; or an alkyl group having from 1-6 carbons; or a trifluoromethyl; or a halogen; or --OR.sup.6, --SR.sup.6 or --(NR.sup.6 R.sup.7) where R.sup.6 and R.sup.7, which can be the same or different, are independently H; or alkyl groups having 1-6 carbons; or 1-2 alicyclic, heteroalicyclic, aromatic or heteroaromatic rings, containing 1-4 heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are O, N or S; or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken in combination are --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --M--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -- where M=a single bond, --O--, --CH.sub.2 --, or --NR.sup.8 -- where R.sup.8 is H or an alkyl having 1-6 carbons; and t=1-4;R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having 1-6 carbons;X is O, S, Se or NR.sup.9, where R.sup.9 is H or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbons; or X is CR.sup.10 R.sup.11 where R.sup.10 and R.sup.11, which may be the same or different, are independently alkyl groups having 1-6 carbons, or R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 taken in combination complete a five or six membered saturated ring;R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, which may be the same or different, are independently H; or an alkyl, alkenyl, polyalkenyl, alkynyl or polyalkynyl group having 1-6 carbons; or a halogen; or --OH, --OR.sup.6, --SR.sup.6 or --(NR.sup.6 R.sup.7); or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, taken in combination form a quinolinium ring system that is optionally similarly substituted or unsubstituted;Z.sup.- is a biologically compatible counterion;L is a halogen or good leaving group; andOMEGA is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic substituent.
Abstract:
Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.
Abstract:
Chemical compounds having a high selectivity for double stranded DNA over RNA and single stranded DNA are disclosed. The chemical compounds are stains that become fluorescent upon illumination and interaction with double stranded DNA, but exhibit reduced or no fluorescence in the absence of double stranded DNA. The compounds can be used in a variety of biological applications to qualitatively or quantitatively assay DNA, even in the presence of RNA.
Abstract:
Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.
Abstract:
The invention describes the preparation and use of fluorescent stains for nucleic acids derived from neutral unsymmetrical cyanine dyes comprising a substituted benzazolium ring system linked to a methine bridge to a pyridine or quinoline ring system. The fluorescence characteristics of the dyes when complexed with nucleic acids give the dyes utility for the detection of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids in cells, gels and solutions. The dyes have particular utility in the staining of reticulocytes.