Nile Red: A Versatile Fluorescent Compound for Lipid Imaging
Fluorescence Properties
Nile Red is a lipophilic fluorescent compound commonly used in biological imaging to visualize and quantify lipids. It has an excitation peak at 559 nm and an emission peak at 635 nm, making it suitable for excitation with green light and detection in the red channel.
Solvatochromism and Fluorogenicity
Nile Red exhibits solvatochromism, meaning its excitation and emission wavelengths shift depending on the polarity of the surrounding environment. In non-polar environments like lipids, Nile Red emits brightly, while in polar environments, like water, its fluorescence is quenched. This property makes Nile Red a valuable tool for differentiating between lipid-rich and lipid-poor regions in cells.
Applications in Lipid Imaging
Lipid Droplets
Nile Red is widely used to visualize and quantify lipid droplets within cells. It specifically localizes to neutral lipid droplets, making it an ideal probe for studying lipid metabolism and storage.
Membrane Staining
Nile Red can also be used to stain cell membranes, where it partitions into the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer. This application allows researchers to visualize cell morphology and membrane dynamics.
Quantitation of Lipids
The fluorescence intensity of Nile Red is proportional to the concentration of lipids in the sample. By measuring the fluorescence intensity, researchers can quantitate lipid levels and monitor changes in lipid metabolism over time.
Conclusion
Nile Red is a versatile and cost-effective fluorescent compound that has revolutionized the field of lipid imaging. Its unique fluorescence properties and ability to localize and quantitate lipids make it an essential tool for researchers studying lipid biology and metabolism.
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