- Trypan blue
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Trypan Blue 
(3Z,3'Z)-3,3'-[(3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diyl)di(1Z)hydrazin-2-yl-1-ylidene]bis(5-amino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid)Identifiers CAS number 72-57-1 
, (tetrasodium salt)PubChem 5904246 ChemSpider 10482308 UNII I2ZWO3LS3M KEGG C19307 ChEMBL CHEMBL1640 Jmol-3D images Image 1 - [Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)c6cc1cc(cc(N)c1c(O)c6/N=N/c2ccc(cc2C)c5ccc(/N=N/c4c(cc3cc(cc(N)c3c4O)S([O-])(=O)=O)S([O-])(=O)=O)c(C)c5)S([O-])(=O)=O
- InChI=1S/C34H28N6O14S4.4Na/c1-15-7-17(3-5-25(15)37-39-31-27(57(49,50)51)11-19-9-21(55(43,44)45)13-23(35)29(19)33(31)41)18-4-6-26(16(2)8-18)38-40-32-28(58(52,53)54)12-20-10-22(56(46,47)48)14-24(36)30(20)34(32)42;;;;/h3-14,41-42H,35-36H2,1-2H3,(H,43,44,45)(H,46,47,48)(H,49,50,51)(H,52,53,54);;;;/q;4*+1/p-4/b39-37+,40-38+;;;;
Key: GLNADSQYFUSGOU-GPTZEZBUSA-J
Properties Molecular formula C34H28N6O14S4 Molar mass 872.88 g mol−1 
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)Infobox references Trypan blue is a vital stain used to selectively colour dead tissues or cells blue. It is a diazo dye.
Live cells or tissues with intact cell membranes are not coloured. Since cells are very selective in the compounds that pass through the membrane, in a viable cell trypan blue is not absorbed; however, it traverses the membrane in a dead cell. Hence, dead cells are shown as a distinctive blue colour under a microscope. Since live cells are excluded from staining, this staining method is also described as a dye exclusion method. This dye may be a cause of certain birth defects such as encephalocele.
Contents
Background & chemistry
Trypan blue is derived from toluidine, that is, any of several isomeric bases, C14H16N2, derived from toluene. Trypan blue is so-called because it can kill trypanosomes, the parasites that cause sleeping sickness. An analog of trypan blue, suramin is used pharmacologically against trypanosomiasis. Trypan blue is also known as diamine blue and Niagara blue.
Trypan red and Trypan blue were first synthesized by the German scientist Paul Ehrlich in 1904.
Uses of trypan blue
Observation with an optical microscope of Hyaloperonospora parasitica within a leaf of Arabidopsis thaliana by using the trypan blue staining.
Trypan blue is commonly used in microscopy (for cell counting) and in laboratory mice for assessment of tissue viability. The method cannot distinguish between necrotic and apoptotic cells.
It may also be used to observe fungal hyphae and Stramenopiles.
References
- Chapter "Detection of Caspase Activation Combined with Other Probes of Apoptosis", Eurekah Bioscience Collection, NCBI bookshelf
- Protocol for use of the dye from Northwestern University (PDF)
Synonyms
- Azidine Blue 3B
- Benzamine Blue 3B
- Benzo Blue 3B
- Chlorazol Blue 3B
- Diamine Blue 3B
- Dianil Blue H3G
- Direct Blue 14
- Niagara Blue 3B
External links
Categories:- Azo dyes
- Vital stains
- IARC Group 2B carcinogens
- Naphthalenesulfonic acids
- 1-Naphthols
- 2-Naphthylamines
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