DiI Staining Solution

DiI (1,1 '- Dioctadecyl-3,3', 3 '- tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) is a commonly used lipophilic fluorescent dye. The long-chain alkyl groups in DiI molecules have strong hydrophobicity and can bind to the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane through van der Waals forces, while the indole ring is exposed on the hydrophilic surface of the membrane and interacts with the polar regions of the water environment or membrane proteins to prevent DiI from detaching from the membrane. After entering the cell membrane, DiI can gradually diffuse laterally and label the entire cell membrane. Upon excitation, it exhibits orange red fluorescence (with a maximum excitation wavelength of 549 nm and a maximum emission wavelength of 565 nm). The labeling process of DiI on cell membranes is reversible, and if there are unlabeled cells around, DiI can transfer through intercellular contact. DiI is widely used as a tracer for positive or negative, live or fixed nerve cells or tissues.