Hoechst 34580 | 23555-00-2

Hoechst 34580 is part of a class of Hoechst stains, which are bis-benzimides utilized as blue fluorescent dyes specifically designed to stain DNA. These dyes are notable for their ability to bind to the minor groove of DNA, particularly favoring adenine-thymine (A-T) rich regions. They exhibit relatively low cytotoxicity, making them popular choices for a variety of biological and medical research applications where fluorescent tagging of DNA is required. This non-covalent binding process means that Hoechst stains, including Hoechst 34580, can be used in living cells without significantly altering cellular function, allowing researchers to track cellular processes in real-time.

One key application of Hoechst 34580 is in fluorescence microscopy, especially for visualization and identification of cellular nuclei in cultured cells. This application leverages the dye’s high affinity for DNA and its bright blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light to contrast sharply against other cellular components, thus allowing researchers to easily distinguish nuclear DNA within a complex cellular environment. Such visualization is crucial in studies of cell cycle, apoptosis, and nuclear morphology.

Additionally, Hoechst 34580 can be effectively used in flow cytometry to analyze and sort cells based on DNA content. By staining cells with Hoechst 34580, researchers can determine the cell cycle status of individual cells. In flow cytometry, the intensity of fluorescence corresponds to the DNA content, distinguishing cells in different phases of the cell cycle, thus aiding in studies that require cell cycle analysis, such as cancer research and drug discovery.

Hoechst 34580 is also employed in apoptosis detection assays. Apoptotic cells often exhibit condensed and fragmented nuclear DNA, changes that are easily identified by the increased intensity of Hoechst staining. By comparing normal, apoptotic, and necrotic cells, researchers can use Hoechst 34580 to accurately identify and quantify apoptotic cells, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of programmed cell death under various physiological and experimental conditions.

Finally, Hoechst 34580 is instrumental in chromosome banding techniques. This involves staining metaphase chromosome preparations to produce distinct banding patterns that are useful for chromosome identification and karyotyping. Such applications are vital in genetics and cytogenetics for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities and for advancing our understanding of chromosomal organization and function.