You are not logged in.
now: Thu Mar 28 15:38:01 2024 ... mod: Thu Jul 24 15:42:37 2014
Log in
DnaVsRnaAnalysis
DnaVsRnaAnalysis

DNA vs RNA Analysis

The metachromism of AcridineOrange can be used to simultaneously quantify both DNA and RNA in individual cells by FlowCytometry. The cells are gently permeablized with weak detergent under cold acidic conditions to preserve nuclear structure. The acid helps to extract histones to allow the dye to more completely intercalate with DNA. Chelation of divalent cations with EDTA encourages RNA to become fully single stranded, allowing maximal differentiation between RNA and DNA by the dye.

  1. Mix 490 μl cold Solution I with 10 μl of a single cell suspension on ice. Incubate for one minute on ice.
    • keeping the mixture cold prevents the acid from denaturing the DNA
  2. Add 500 μl cold Solution II and mix gently but thoroughly
  3. Analyze green (DNA) vs red (RNA) fluorescence by cytometry with a blue (488 nm) laser.


Solutions

Solution 1

Solution 2

store solutions refrigerated indefinitely


References:

F. Traganos, Z. Darzynkiewicz, T. Sharpless, M.R. Melamed, Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, 25(1): 46-56 (1977). Simultaneous staining of ribonucleic and deoxyribonucleic acids in unfixed cells using acridine orange in a flow cytofluormetric system.


Comments

edit this text