Pyronin Y (Pyronin G), Cationic dye (RNA)

Key facts

CAS number

92-32-0

Form

Solid

form

Molecular weight

302.8 g/mol

Molecular formula

C₁₇H₁₉ClN₂O

Nature

Synthetic

Solubility

Soluble in water to 75 mM

Soluble in ethanol to 10 mM

Biological description

Cationic dye that intercalates RNA and is visible as a red band during electrophoresis. Shown to accumulate in the mitochondria of viable cells. At low concentrations the cytostatic effect is cell arrest in the G1 phase, whereas at high concentrations the cytotoxic effect is cell arrest in the G2 and S phase. Used in combination with Alcian Blue to assess and study pulmonary diseases, and in combination with Methyl Green to stain nucleic acids in paraffin sections. Additionally, has been used to measure RNA in CHO cells by flow cytometry.

IUPAC Name

N-[6-(Dimethylamino)-3H-xanthen-3-ylidene]-N-methylmethanaminium chloride