Fluorometric determination of DNA in fixed tissue using ethidium bromide

The measurement of DNA in tissue samples fixed in ethanol/acetic acid is described. Small, fixed tissue samples are digested by warm alkaline treatment followed by neutralization with HCl, and DNA is determined by complex formation with the dye ethidium bromide (EB). When standard DNA from calf thymus was treated similarly, a hyperchromicity of 8–12% and a reduction in fluorescence intensity of the EB-DNA complex to 55% was observed. The NaOH concentration (0.5–2.0 mol/liter) or the temperature (50–60°C) used for the digestion of tissue, as well as subsequent ribonuclease or protease treatment had no effect on the observed tissue DNA concentrations.     

Fluorometric determination of DNA and RNA in Chlamydomonas using ethidium bromide

By using the fluorescence enhancement of ethidium bromide bound to nuclei acid, a very rapid, simple and sensitive assay of DNA in the green alga Chlamydomonas has been devised. Total fluorescence (DNA + RNA) was determined by complex formation with ethidium bromide in a cell lysate made by mixing cell samples with lauroyl sarcosinate, EDTA and NaOH and incubating the mixture for 5 min at room temperature followed by neutralization. For determination of DNA the RNA was digested by incubating the cell sample in te alkaline lysis solution for 45 min at 60 degrees C followed by neutralization, and complex formation with ethidium bromide. Quenching of the fluorescence due to cellular pigments was corrected for using an internal DNA standard.     

A synthesis of labeled ethidium bromide

A method is described for the synthesis of labeled ethidium (3,8-diamino-5-ethyl-6-phenyl phenanthridinium) bromide. Based on benzoic acid, the radioactive precursor used, the yield is 15% of a compound that is indistinguishable from authentic ethidium bromide in its absorption spectra (uv, visible, ir), Chromatographie behavior, and mutagenic effectiveness in the induction of respiration-deficient cell lines in baker's yeast.     

The use of fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide as a viability stain for isolated islets of Langerhans

There is a need for a simple, rapid, sensitive method for assessing the viability of isolated islets of Langerhans. In this study the fluorescent dyes fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and ethidium bromide (EB) have been used to provide a viability assay for isolated rat islets. Discrimination of living from dead islets is efficient; in a blind sorting experiment using freshly isolated islets and islets killed by either heat or alcohol, viability determined by insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation correlated well with viability as determined by FDA/EB staining. Furthermore, it is possible to discriminate degrees of viability, and a scoring system is described for this purpose which is shown to correlate with another index of viability, the ATP content. A reliable viability stain should not itself be toxic; FDA/EB stained islets remain viable after staining, showing normal response to glucose stimulation and normal function after transplantation.     

Glucose sensor using immobilized whole cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Summary Whole cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens which utilized mainly glucose were immobilized in collagen membrane. The microbial electrode consisted of a bacteria-collagen membrane and an oxygen electrode was developed for the determination of glucose. When the electrode was inserted in a sample solution containing glucose, the current of the electrode decreased markedly with time until a steady state was reached. The response time of the electrode was 10 min by the steady state method. A linear relationship was observed between the steady state current and the concentration of glucose below 20 mg l ^–1. The minimum concentration for determination was 2 mg of glucose per liter. The reproducibility of the current was examined using the same sample solution. The current was reproducible within ±6% of the relative error when a sample solution containing 10 mg {ie343-1} of glucose was employed. The standard deviation was 0.6 mg {ie343-2} in 20 experiments. The reusability of the glucose sensor was examined using the same sample solution (10 mg {ie343-3}). No decrease in current output was observed over a two week period and 150 assays. Glucose in molasses was determined with an average relative error of 10% by the microbial electrode sensor.     

Binding of ethidium bromide to fractionated chromatin

The binding of ethidium bromide (EB) to different chromatin preparations was tested. Scatchard plots showed that the slowly sedimenting fraction of sheared chromatin is enriched in dye-binding sites. Limited nuclease digestion of rat liver nuclei, which has been shown to preserve the subunit structure of chromatin, reduces the number of binding sites available for intercalation of the dye.     

Connection of ethidium bromide with single-stranded DNA

The interaction of ethidium bromide with single-stranded synthetic and natural polynucleotides at high temperatures (t = 70 degrees C) and low pH values (pH 3.0) was studied. The isotherms of adsorption of ethidium bromide on single-stranded DNA were obtained. Two modes of binding of single-stranded DNA, strong and weak, were revealed. The values of the corresponding constants of interaction of this ligand and the number of bases per one binding site were determined.     

Inhibition of yeast sporulation by ethidium bromide

Summary Ethidium bromide blocks ascus formation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This may mean that the presence of the mitochondrial genome is required for sporulation in this organism.     

Protocol for high-sensitivity/long linear-range spectrofluorimetric DNA quantification using ethidium bromide

Ethidium bromide (EtBr) is the most widely used fluorescent dye in nucleic acid gel electrophoresis since decades. However it has been essentially forgotten in DNA quantification by spectrofluorimetry. While investigating sensitivity and dynamic range of available fluorochromes, we found that EtBr permits much more sensitive fluorimetric measurements than previously thought. We report here a revised, accurate, and easy-to-use protocol for EtBr-based DNA quantification in solution, which usefully complements the widely used indirect quantification on agarose gels.     

Biological control of soil-pathogenic nematodes infecting mungbean using Pseudomonas fluorescens

The addition of organic matters to soil has been explored as an alternative means of nematode control under field conditions. Several oil-seed cakes of neem (Azadirachta indica), castor (Ricinus communis), groundnut (Arachis hypogeae), linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) were found to be highly effective in reducing the multiplication of soil-pathogenic nematodes Meloidogyne incognita, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Tylenchorhynchus brassicae, etc. The plant growth parameters such as plant weight, per cent pollen fertility, number of pods per plant, root-nodulation and chlorophyll content of mungbean increased significantly. The multiplication rate of nematodes and number of root-galls were less in the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens as compared to its absence. Damage caused by the nematodes was further reduced when P. fluorescens was added along with the oil-seed cakes. Neem cake was found most effective in combination with P. fluorescens.     

Mechanism of ethidium bromide inhibition of RNA polymerase

The effect of ethidium bromide on various steps of the reaction catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase is studied. Inhibition caused by low levels (approx. 6 μm) of this DNA-binding drug is a consequence of reducing the rate of RNA chain initiation; the rate of RNA chain growth is unaffected at this concentration. The sensitive step in the initiation process is the formation of stable complexes between RNA polymerase and initiation sites on the DNA. At higher levels (25 μm), ethidium bromide does inhibit the polymerization of those RNA molecules whose initiation has not been blocked.