Labelling

Cy5 DIC18 is a far-red fluorescent carbocyanine dye used for cell membrane labeling both in vivo and in vitro. It diffuses laterally to stain the entire cell, making it suitable as an anterograde and retrograde neuronal tracer. Notably, in intact tissue, the dye does not transfer from labeled to unlabeled cells, although some transfer may occur when the membrane is disrupted (e.g., after sectioning). Initially, the dye is weakly fluorescent, but it becomes more pronounced once incorporated into membranes.

Cy3 DIC18 is an orange-red fluorescent carbocyanine dye widely utilized as a lipophilic tracer. Its long hydrocarbon chains integrate into cell membranes, rendering it weakly fluorescent until incorporation. DiI diffuses laterally to stain entire cells, making it effective for anterograde and retrograde neuronal tracing. In intact tissue, minimal transfer occurs between labeled and unlabeled cells, though slight transfer may happen post-membrane disruption, such as during sectioning.

DiO, lipophilic tracer is a green fluorescent and lipophilic carbocyanine dye. It is commonly used as an anterograde and retrograde neuronal tracer in both living and fixed tissues and cells. DiO uniformly labels neurons through diffusion in the plasma membrane, and while it does not transfer from labeled to unlabeled cells in intact tissue, some transfer may occur after membrane disruption, such as during sectioning.

DiR is a near-infrared fluorescent carbocyanine dye specifically designed for cell membrane labeling in both in vivo and in vitro applications. When applied, DiR diffuses laterally, effectively staining the entire cell. Its unique properties make it suitable as both an anterograde and retrograde tracer for neurons. Additionally, DiR can be combined with other tracers for multi-color studies and is useful for near-infrared imaging.

Laurdan is a membrane-permeable fluorescent probe that detects the physical state of surrounding phospholipids based on its localization and sensitivity to water molecules. Its generalized polarization values can identify the phospholipid phase, unaffected by polar head groups or pH.

RAPID DiI is a lipophilic dye that labels cell membranes by inserting its two long hydrocarbon (C18 carbon) chains into the lipid bilayer. It diffuses laterally to stain the entire cell and serves as an anterograde and retrograde tracer of neurons, with faster migration kinetics than DiI.

RAPID DiO is a cyanine dye with green fluorescence—an unsaturated analog of DiO. It labels cell membranes by inserting its two long hydrocarbon (C18 carbon) chains into the lipid bilayer. Initially weakly fluorescent, it becomes more so upon incorporation into membranes. RAPID DiO diffuses laterally, staining the entire cell, and serves as an anterograde and retrograde tracer of neurons. Notably, it exhibits about 50% faster migration kinetics than DiO.

BODIPY 505/515 is a bright, photostable far-red fluorophore used for staining lipid membranes. Its nonpolar structure and long-wavelength absorption and fluorescence make it suitable for neutral lipids and as a tracer for oil and other nonpolar lipids.

(E,E)-3,5-Bis(phenylethenyl)-BDP is a symmetric boron difluoride dipyrromethene derivative with lipophilic properties. It lacks additional functional groups and is expected to accumulate in lipid droplets (LDs). Notably, an aromatic, alkenyl, or alkynyl substitution at the 3,5-positions of the core results in a red-shifted fluorescence emission wavelength compared to classical BDP dye markers.