[3]. DNA and RNA samples in TAE buffer were loaded on the gel after adding tracking dyes xylene cyanole and bromophenole blue in 30 % glycerol to concentration 0,025 %. Separations were carried out at 10 V/cm. DNA and RNA gels were stained after electrophoresis in the solution of Cyan 13, Cyan 40 or EtBr (1 fig/m\) for 30 min.Fluorescence detection of DNA and RNA in agarose gels. Detection of DNA-dye and RNA-dye complexes was performed with UV-transilluminator 2011 Macrovue («LKB», Sweden) at 524 nm. The gels were photographed using orange filter.
Ya. DUBEY, 1997Results and Discussion. The use of non-isotopic detection techniques in biology and medicine is an attractive alternative to radioactive detection methods. Cyanine dyes ars now widely used as fluorescence detection probes. Monomethyne cyanine dyes are weakly fluorescent in ree state but show strong fluorescence upon binding to DNA or RNA, and some of these reagents are the most sensitive nucleic acid stains currently available [4,5]. A series of new fluorescent cyanine dyes with improved spectroscopic properties including Cyan 13 [6] and Cyan 40 [7] has been recently developed in our laboratory (Fig. 1).In this communication we demonstrate that Cyan 13 and Cyan 40 can be successfully used for DNA and RNA detection in the standard procedures. Dyes bind efficiently to different forms of DNA -covalently closed circular and linear dsDNA and ssDNA, as well as to various RNA types -ribosomal RNA, mRNA and tRNA, forming stable fluorescent complexes.In Fig. 2 is shown the comparison of DNA staining in agarose gel with Cyan 13, Cyan 40 and EtBr. It was shown that fluorescence of Cyan 13 and Cyan 40 complexes with linear dsDNA and circular M13 ssDNA (lanes 1 and J, respectively) was com parable wit that of EtBr. But the intensity of fluorescence of EtBr complex with circular closed dsDNA (lane 2) was higher than those for Cyan 13 and Cyan 40. It is necessary to note that the contamination of bacterial tRNAs in samples of circular closed plasmid DNAs shined with almost equal intensity.The fluorescence intensity of Cyan 13 and Cyan 40 complexes with RNA is enough high. As is shown in Fig. 3, all types of RNA -ribosomal RNA, mRNA and tRNA -can be detected in total RNA samples. Both 28S and 18S rRNAs were detectable in the gels stained with Cyan 13 and Cyan 40, as well as stained with EtBr. The fluorescence of RNA complexes with Cyan 40 was lower as compared with two other dyes.The colours of fluorescence of RNA and DNA complexes with Cyan 13 and Cyan 40 were from blue to light green. The colour of Cyan 13 -DNA com plexes was shifted to red by increasing dye con centration or time of staining. It is possible that such a change off luorescence spectrum was caused by formation of H-aggregates (unpublished results). It can be concluded therefore that two new cyanine dyes Cyan 13 and Cyan 40 can be used for DNA and RNA detection in agarose gels.
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INTERACTION OF CYANINE DYES WITH NUCLEIC ACIDSAcknowledgements. We are indebted to Dr. Yu. Kovtun for providing the dyes a...