Pyronin Y (CAS 92-32-0)

Pyronin Y, a cationic xanthene dye with the CAS number 92-32-0, is primarily recognized for its vibrant red color and its applications in the realm of biological staining and research rather than any therapeutic or pharmaceutical uses. This dye, structurally related to other xanthene dyes such as fluorescein, has a unique ability to intercalate into nucleic acids, which makes it particularly valuable in the field of molecular biology for visualizing cellular components under a microscope. One of the most notable applications of Pyronin Y is in the differential staining of RNA and DNA, where it is often used in conjunction with methyl green; this technique, known as the methyl green-pyronin stain, allows researchers to distinctly differentiate between RNA, which stains red with Pyronin Y, and DNA, which takes up the green stain. Furthermore, Pyronin Y′s interactions with nucleic acids are not merely superficial; the dye′s intercalation into RNA involves a specific insertion between the bases, which can disrupt the normal biophysical properties of the nucleic acid chains. This characteristic has been exploited in various experimental settings to study the structural dynamics of RNA and to assess the effects of such intercalations on the function and stability of RNA molecules. Thus, Pyronin Y serves as a crucial tool in cellular and molecular biology, facilitating the exploration of nucleic acid behavior and cell dynamics under various conditions.