Phalloidin-tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate

Phalloidin-tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate, often abbreviated as TRITC-phalloidin, is a conjugated compound where the toxin phalloidin is chemically linked to the fluorescent dye tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate (TRITC). Phalloidin, a bicyclic peptide isolated from the toxic Amanita phalloides mushrooms, binds selectively and with high affinity to F-actin (filamentous actin) in cells. This binding stabilizes F-actin against depolymerization, preserving the integrity of filamentous structures within the cell. The TRITC label in this conjugate emits a bright red fluorescence when excited, which allows for the visualization of actin filaments in fluorescence microscopy studies. This characteristic makes TRITC-phalloidin an invaluable tool in cellular biology and cytoskeletal research. It is extensively used to stain actin filaments in fixed and permeabilized cells, enabling researchers to observe the detailed architecture of the cytoskeleton, analyze changes in actin organization during various cellular processes, and investigate the dynamics of actin assembly and disassembly. The use of TRITC-phalloidin in research has provided profound insights into cell motility, structure, division, and signaling. Its ability to produce sharp and specific staining patterns of actin filaments makes it essential for studies involving cell morphology and function, contributing significantly to our understanding of cellular infrastructure and dynamics.