Re: GFP and counterstaining

From: Derek Davies (daviesd2@icrf.icnet.uk)
Date: Wed Jan 05 2000 - 07:30:54 EST


On Wed, 22 Dec 1999, Grace Jones wrote:
> What is the best way to fix cells expressing a GFP marker, so that one can
> counter stain with PI or do some fluorescent immunocytochemistry, but yet
> the fix does not kill the GFP marker?

Hi Grace,

If you just want to use PI as a nuclear marker (rather than quantatively),
any aldehyde fixative will do (Paraformaldehyde of formaldehyde are
usual). If you are using a fluorescenec microscope it is best to keep
the PI concentration low as it is very bright and can overwhelm some low
GFP signals. 7-AAD would be an alternative here as the signal from blue
excitation isnt as strong. A further alternative is to use a GFP than
localises in the cell membrane (eg Clontech's EGFP-F) and then you could
use ethanol fixation (normally ethanol fixing will abolish the GFP
fluorescence).

Good luck,
Derek

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Derek Davies                       Voice: (44) 0171 269 3394
FACS Laboratory,                   FAX: (44) 0171 269 3100
Imperial Cancer Research Fund,     e_mail: derek.davies@icrf.icnet.uk
London, UK

Web Page: http://www.icnet.uk/axp/facs/davies/index.html

In tenebris lux 							 
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