Invitrogen™ Propidium Iodide - 1.0 mg/mL Solution in Water, 10mL

Invitrogen™ Propidium Iodide (PI) is a red-fluorescent nuclear and chromosome counterstain that is widely used in a variety of fluorescence-based assays. This 1.0 mg/mL solution in water is ideal for visualizing dead cells in a population, as PI is impermeant to live cells, but readily enters cells with compromised membranes, such as dead or dying cells. Once inside, PI binds to DNA by intercalating between the bases, enhancing its fluorescence and making it a powerful tool for cell viability assays and DNA staining.

Key Features and Benefits

• Red Fluorescence for DNA and Chromosome Staining:
  Propidium iodide (PI) emits red fluorescence when bound to DNA, making it an effective counterstain for nuclear and chromosomal studies. This enables clear differentiation of cell nuclei and chromosome visualization in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and other fluorometric assays.
• Non-Permeant to Live Cells:
  Propidium iodide cannot penetrate intact cell membranes of live cells. This characteristic makes it an excellent tool for distinguishing viable from non-viable cells. The dye only enters dead cells or cells with compromised membranes, allowing for the detection of apoptosis or cell death in a population.
• Enhanced Fluorescence:
  Upon binding to DNA, PI's fluorescence is enhanced 20- to 30-fold, and the fluorescence excitation maximum shifts to 535 nm, while the emission maximum shifts to 617 nm. This change in fluorescence properties makes it possible to detect and measure the bound dye using fluorescent microscopes or flow cytometers.
• Wide Application Range:
  Propidium iodide is used in various applications, including:
  • Fluorescence Microscopy: For visualizing stained cells and structures in the cytoplasm and nucleus.
  • Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy: For high-resolution imaging of cells and tissues.
  • Flow Cytometry: For quantitative analysis of cell viability and DNA content.
  • Fluorometry: For measuring DNA binding and apoptosis assays.
• Convenient Ready-to-Use Solution:
  The product comes as a 1.0 mg/mL solution in water, ready for immediate use without the need for complex preparation or dilution, making it convenient and time-saving.
• No Sequence Preference:
  PI binds to DNA with minimal sequence preference, making it suitable for a wide range of DNA-based assays.

Applications

The Invitrogen™ Propidium Iodide (PI) 1.0 mg/mL solution is suitable for various cell biology applications, including:

• Cell Viability Assays:
  PI is used to assess cell viability by distinguishing live cells from dead cells. This is crucial in applications like apoptosis assays, toxicology studies, or monitoring cell health in various treatments.
• Fluorescence Microscopy:
  PI can be used in fluorescence microscopy to stain cell nuclei and chromosomes for visualization under a microscope.
• Flow Cytometry:
  Used in flow cytometry to quantify dead cells or evaluate cell cycle phases and DNA content, as PI fluorescence is proportional to the DNA content.
• Confocal Microscopy:
  For high-resolution imaging of cellular structures, particularly when combined with other fluorescent markers.
• DNA Content and Apoptosis Detection:
  PI is widely used in apoptosis detection protocols, as it stains DNA in dead cells following membrane damage or apoptotic cell death.

Specifications

Storage and Handling

• Storage: Store the Propidium Iodide solution at 2–8°C in a dark place to maintain its stability and effectiveness.
• Handling: Use protective gloves and eye protection when handling this product. It is important to avoid direct exposure to light to preserve the dye's fluorescence properties.

Invitrogen™ Propidium Iodide (PI) is a highly effective, ready-to-use solution for DNA staining and cell viability assays. Ideal for fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry, PI provides reliable, reproducible results for detecting dead cells in a population. Whether you're studying apoptosis, cell cycle, or DNA content, Propidium Iodide remains a cornerstone reagent in cell biology research.