Biomaterial Database

Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde in the fixation of chromatin for electron microscopy. 1984

B T Sewell, and C Bouloukos, and C von Holt

Glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde have been used to fix chromatin core particles for electron microscopy. Glutaraldehyde crosslinks protein only, whereas formaldehyde crosslinks protein and DNA. This is confirmed by the observation that the detergents sodium dodecyl sulphate, Sarkosyl NL 35 and benzylalkyldimethyl ammonium chloride separate the DNA from the protein in the case of glutaraldehyde fixed core particles but not in the case of formaldehyde fixed core particles. The fixative used in the preparation must therefore be considered as a further variable when evaluating electron microscopic images of chromatin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D001798	Blood Proteins	Proteins that are present in blood serum, including SERUM ALBUMIN; BLOOD COAGULATION FACTORS; and many other types of proteins.	Blood Protein,Plasma Protein,Plasma Proteins,Serum Protein,Serum Proteins,Protein, Blood,Protein, Plasma,Protein, Serum,Proteins, Blood,Proteins, Plasma,Proteins, Serum
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D002843	Chromatin	The material of CHROMOSOMES. It is a complex of DNA; HISTONES; and nonhistone proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON-HISTONE) found within the nucleus of a cell.	Chromatins
D003432	Cross-Linking Reagents	Reagents with two reactive groups, usually at opposite ends of the molecule, that are capable of reacting with and thereby forming bridges between side chains of amino acids in proteins; the locations of naturally reactive areas within proteins can thereby be identified; may also be used for other macromolecules, like glycoproteins, nucleic acids, or other.	Bifunctional Reagent,Bifunctional Reagents,Cross Linking Reagent,Crosslinking Reagent,Cross Linking Reagents,Crosslinking Reagents,Linking Reagent, Cross,Linking Reagents, Cross,Reagent, Bifunctional,Reagent, Cross Linking,Reagent, Crosslinking,Reagents, Bifunctional,Reagents, Cross Linking,Reagents, Cross-Linking,Reagents, Crosslinking
D004247	DNA	A deoxyribonucleotide polymer that is the primary genetic material of all cells. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms normally contain DNA in a double-stranded state, yet several important biological processes transiently involve single-stranded regions. DNA, which consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone possessing projections of purines (adenine and guanine) and pyrimidines (thymine and cytosine), forms a double helix that is held together by hydrogen bonds between these purines and pyrimidines (adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine).	DNA, Double-Stranded,Deoxyribonucleic Acid,ds-DNA,DNA, Double Stranded,Double-Stranded DNA,ds DNA
D005404	Fixatives	Agents employed in the preparation of histologic or pathologic specimens for the purpose of maintaining the existing form and structure of all of the constituent elements. Great numbers of different agents are used; some are also decalcifying and hardening agents. They must quickly kill and coagulate living tissue.	Fixative,Pickling Agents,Agents, Pickling
D005557	Formaldehyde	A highly reactive aldehyde gas formed by oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In solution, it has a wide range of uses: in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a hazardous compound, and its vapor toxic. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p717)	Formalin,Formol,Methanal,Oxomethane
D005976	Glutaral	One of the protein CROSS-LINKING REAGENTS that is used as a disinfectant for sterilization of heat-sensitive equipment and as a laboratory reagent, especially as a fixative.	Glutaraldehyde,Cidex,Diswart,Gludesin,Glutardialdehyde,Glutarol,Korsolex,Novaruca,Sekumatic,Sonacide,Sporicidin
D000447	Aldehydes	Organic compounds containing a carbonyl group in the form -CHO.	Aldehyde