Search

  • Order Status
  • Quick Order
  • Promos

Wheat Germ Agglutinin, Oregon Green™ 488 Conjugate, 5 mg - FAQs

View additional product information for Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA) - FAQs (W56133, W56132, W56134, W32466, W32465, W11263, W32464, W11262, W11261, W834, W849, W21405, W21404, W7024, Q12021MP, W6748)

2 product FAQs found

My cells are very sensitive and need to be kept in media as much as possible. Is it possible to label the plasma membrane with fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in media instead of buffer?

Yes. Although labeling in buffer (such as Hank's Buffered Saline Solution) is slightly better for brightness and lower non-cell background, media can be used. Do a concentration range to dertermine optimal conditions, since the WGA may potentially bind media components to some extent, slightly decreasing your specific labeling intensity.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

I want to label the plasma membrane of my cells, but there are several dyes to choose from. Which one should I use?

For live-cell imaging, the CellVue and CellMask Plasma Membrane Stains are the most uniform and the slowest to be endocytosed. However, they are not the best choice if you wish to fix and permeabilize your cells, such as for antibody labeling. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) conjugates are also able to label live cells, or can label already formaldehyde-fixed cells. They can survive subsequent permeabilization with detergents, such as Triton X-100. If cells are already permeabilized, WGA will label internal structures as well. Thus, only an antibody against a plasma membrane protein can be used if cells are already permeabilized. Lipophilic cyanine dyes, such as DiI, will label all cell membranes in live cells, not just plasma membranes, if left on live cells for extended periods. Following page will help you choose (http://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-analysis/cell-structure/plasma-membrane.html).

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.