Biomaterial Database

Hoechst 33258 staining for detecting mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures: a method for reducing fluorescence photobleaching. 1994

M Battaglia, and D Pozzi, and S Grimaldi, and T Parasassi

Institute of Experimental Medicine, National Research Council, CNR, Rome, Italy.

DNA fluorochrome staining with Hoechst 33258 bisbenzimide is commonly used for detection of mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures. Photobleaching of Hoechst 33258 is pronounced under the conditions of intense illumination, high magnification and resolution required for detection of mycoplasmas. To reduce photobleaching we investigated the effects of some antioxidant molecules, p-phenylenediamine (PPD), n-propyl gallate (NPG) and 1,4-diazabicyclo(2,2,2)octane (DABCO), which are known to reduce the fading rate of fluorescein. Mycoplasma-contaminated cell monolayers were stained with Hoechst 33258 and mounted in glycerol containing different amounts of antioxidant additives. The cells were examined in an epifluorescence microscope, and the emitted light intensity was recorded. Results showed that PPD and, to a lower degree, NPG, retarded the photobleaching of Hoechst 33258-stained cells, whereas DABCO was not effective. However, fluorescence half-life was increased about three-fold by NPG and almost 20-fold by PPD. The rate of fluorescence fading of Hoechst 33258 can therefore be retarded by PPD, with obvious advantages for reading and photographic recording of results.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009174	Mycoplasma	A genus of gram-negative, mostly facultatively anaerobic bacteria in the family MYCOPLASMATACEAE. The cells are bounded by a PLASMA MEMBRANE and lack a true CELL WALL. Its organisms are pathogens found on the MUCOUS MEMBRANES of humans, ANIMALS, and BIRDS.	Eperythrozoon,Haemobartonella,Mycoplasma putrefaciens,PPLO,Pleuropneumonia-Like Organisms,Pleuropneumonia Like Organisms
D010084	Oxidation-Reduction	A chemical reaction in which an electron is transferred from one molecule to another. The electron-donating molecule is the reducing agent or reductant; the electron-accepting molecule is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Reducing and oxidizing agents function as conjugate reductant-oxidant pairs or redox pairs (Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p471).	Redox,Oxidation Reduction
D010655	Phenylenediamines	Aniline compounds that contain two amino groups. They are used as a precursor in the synthesis of HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS and POLYMERS. p-Phenylenediamine is used in the manufacture of HAIR DYES and is an ALLERGEN.
D010777	Photochemistry	A branch of physical chemistry which studies chemical reactions, isomerization and physical behavior that may occur under the influence of visible and/or ultraviolet light.	Photochemistries
D010879	Piperazines	Compounds that are derived from PIPERAZINE.
D011435	Propyl Gallate	Antioxidant for foods, fats, oils, ethers, emulsions, waxes, and transformer oils.	Gallate, Propyl
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D004269	DNA, Bacterial	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria.	Bacterial DNA
D005455	Fluorescent Antibody Technique	Test for tissue antigen using either a direct method, by conjugation of antibody with fluorescent dye (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, DIRECT) or an indirect method, by formation of antigen-antibody complex which is then labeled with fluorescein-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin antibody (FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TECHNIQUE, INDIRECT). The tissue is then examined by fluorescence microscopy.	Antinuclear Antibody Test, Fluorescent,Coon's Technique,Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody Test,Fluorescent Protein Tracing,Immunofluorescence Technique,Coon's Technic,Fluorescent Antibody Technic,Immunofluorescence,Immunofluorescence Technic,Antibody Technic, Fluorescent,Antibody Technics, Fluorescent,Antibody Technique, Fluorescent,Antibody Techniques, Fluorescent,Coon Technic,Coon Technique,Coons Technic,Coons Technique,Fluorescent Antibody Technics,Fluorescent Antibody Techniques,Fluorescent Protein Tracings,Immunofluorescence Technics,Immunofluorescence Techniques,Protein Tracing, Fluorescent,Protein Tracings, Fluorescent,Technic, Coon's,Technic, Fluorescent Antibody,Technic, Immunofluorescence,Technics, Fluorescent Antibody,Technics, Immunofluorescence,Technique, Coon's,Technique, Fluorescent Antibody,Technique, Immunofluorescence,Techniques, Fluorescent Antibody,Techniques, Immunofluorescence,Tracing, Fluorescent Protein,Tracings, Fluorescent Protein
D006690	Bisbenzimidazole	A benzimidazole antifilarial agent; it is fluorescent when it binds to certain nucleotides in DNA, thus providing a tool for the study of DNA replication; it also interferes with mitosis.	Bisbenzimide,4-(5-(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)(2,5'-bi-1H-benzimidazol)-2'-yl)phenol, trihydrochloride,Bisbenzimidazole Trihydrochloride,Hoe-33258,Hoechst 33258,NSC-322921,Pibenzimol,Hoe 33258,Hoe33258,NSC 322921,NSC322921