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AAT Bioquest

Is ethidium bromide teratogenic?

Posted January 14, 2022


Answer

Ethidium bromide is suspected to be teratogenic, although this has not been proved conclusively. Its teratogenic properties stem from its intercalating nature. Ethidium bromide inserts itself into the DNA double helix, distorting the structure, weight, charge and flexibility of the DNA molecule. These distortions damage fetal cells in the womb causing developmental defects.

Additional resources

The DNA intercalators ethidium bromide and propidium iodide also bind to core histones

Cell Structures and Organelles

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