Aldrich lists an absorption maximum of 544 nm and the dye presumably has
"orange fluorescence," which would indicate that it is spectrally similar to
tetramethylrhodamines (abs max about 550 nm with emission at about 575 nm),
However, basic fuchsin is a mixture of at least two dyes and the fluorescence
may vary lot-to-lot. Also, triarylmethane dyes (one component of basic fuchsin)
are usually thought to be nonfluorescent and probably become fluorescent only
on rigidification, such as in bone and apparently some chromosomes (see
abstract below).
Hum Genet 1976 May 19;32(2):155-69
Banding of human chromosomes with basic fuchsin.
Scheres JM, Merkx GF.
In this paper a technique is described for the banding
of human metaphase chromosomes with basic fuchsin. The main
characteristics of the G-banding pattern obtained with
this cationic triphenylmethane dye are: the secondary constriction regions
of chromosomes Nos. 1 and 16 are strongly stained,
especially in the latter one; the heterochromatic area of chromosome No. 9,
usually negative with most other G-banding techniques,
is clearly visible as an intensely stained band adjacent to the
centromere; the chromosomal outline is often very
distinct, facilitating the study of the telomeres; a number of chromosomal
regions with bright Q fluorescence such as the
polymorphic regions of the chromosomes Nos. 3, 4, and Y also stain strongly
with
basic fuchsin. The basic fuchsin technique combines
therefore properties of G-, C-, and Q-banding methods and seems very
suitable for use in e.g., family and linkage studies.
Several triphenylmethanes closely related to basic fuchsin produce similar
banding patterns. The band-producing ability is,
however, diminished in those dyes which contain methylated amino groups. If
the methyl groups are attached to the carbon atoms at
the 3-positions in the phenyl rings, band formation seems unaffected.
The way in which basic fuchsin and chromatin may
interact as well as the possible mechanism(s) of band formation with this dye
are discussed.
"Richard K. Meister" wrote:
> Hello, everyone:
>
> I have an ACAS 570 confocal laser scanning cytometer with an argon laser,
> and I have a faculty member who wants to scan slides stained with basic
> fuchsin (rosanilin). I haven't been able to find much information
> regarding the excitation and emission spectra of this dye. I would
> appreciate any information you might have regarding which laser line to use
> and what wave lengths to use to collect the fluorescence.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Rick Meister
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