Does DAPI stain all cells? | AAT Bioquest

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Does DAPI stain all cells?

Posted December 10, 2022

Antibodies and Proteomics Bioconjugation Antibody and Protein Labeling Cell Cycle Assays Cellular Processes Cellular Structures and Organelles DAPI Immunohistochemistry (IHC)Nucleus

Answer

DAPI is used to stain both fixed and live cells. It is a cell permeable dye with the ability to stain the DNA of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The dye has a high affinity for the minor groove of the A-T DNA sequences. DAPI is preferred for fixed cell staining over live cell staining, since it takes higher concentrations to permeate the membrane.

Additional resources

DAPI as a useful stain for nuclear quantitation DAPI - Blue Fluorescent DNA Stain DAPI [4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride] *CAS 28718-90-3* FluoroQuest™ Mounting Medium with DAPI

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