SYBR Green

SYBR Green I (SG) is an asymmetrical cyanine dye [cite journal |author=Zipper H, Brunner H, Bernhagen J, Vitzthum F |title=Investigations on DNA intercalation and surface binding by SYBR Green I, its structure determination and methodological implications |journal=Nucleic acids research |volume=32 |issue=12 |pages=e103 |year=2004 |pmid=15249599 |pmc=484200 |doi=10.1093/nar/gnh101 |url=] used as a nucleic acid stain in molecular biology. SYBR Green I binds to double-stranded DNA. The resulting DNA-dye-complex absorbs blue light (λ_max = 488 nm) and emits green light (λ_max = 522 nm).

afety

SYBR Green I is marketed as a replacement for the mutagen ethidium bromide, as both safer to work with and free from the complex waste disposal issues of ethidium. However anything capable of binding DNA with high affinity is a possible carcinogen, including SYBR.

In a study using the Ames test, which measures the ability of chemicals to cause mutations, when assayed at the same concentration there was no clear pattern in the relative mutagenicities of ethidium bromide and SYBRgreen.cite journal |author=Singer VL, Lawlor TE, Yue S |title=Comparison of SYBR Green I nucleic acid gel stain mutagenicity and ethidium bromide mutagenicity in the Salmonella/mammalian microsome reverse mutation assay (Ames test) |journal=Mutation research |volume=439 |issue=1 |pages=37–47 |year=1999 |month=February |pmid=10029672 |doi= |url=] Ethidium bromide was more mutagenic at higher concentrations, however SYBRgreen could not be tested at these concentrations as it was cytotoxic at a much lower concentration than ethidium bromide. SYBRgreen readily penetrates living cells, whereas ethidium bromide is efficiently excluded from live cells.

Related dyes

Similar cyanine dyes:
* SYBR Green II
* SYBR Gold
* YO (Oxazole Yellow)
* TO (Thiazole Orange)
* PG (PicoGreen)

References