Thermo Fisher Scientific Dextran, Alexa Fluor 488; 3,000 MW, Anionic

Invitrogen™ Dextran, Alexa Fluor™ 488; 3,000 MW, Anionic

Labeled dextrans are hydrophilic polysaccharides most commonly used in microscopy studies to monitor cell division, track the movement of live cells, and to report the hydrodynamic properties of the cytoplasmic matrix. The labeled dextran is commonly introduced into the cells via microinjection.

Need a different emission spectrum or longer tracking? View other mammalian cell tracking products.

Dextran Specifications

High Manufacturing Standards of Molecular Probes™ Dextrans

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers more than 50 fluorescent and biotinylated dextran conjugates in several molecular weight ranges. Dextrans are hydrophilic polysaccharides characterized by their moderate-to-high molecular weight, good water solubility, and low toxicity. They generally exhibit low immunogenicity and are biologically inert due to their poly-(α-D-1,6-glucose) linkages, which make them resistant to cleavage by most endogenous glycosidases.

Molecular Probes™ fluorescent dextrans are typically brighter and have higher negative charge than dextrans from other sources. Rigorous purification methods minimize unconjugated dye, and thin-layer chromatography assays ensure absence of low molecular weight contaminants.

A Wide Selection of Substituents and Molecular Weights

Molecular Probes™ dextrans are conjugated to biotin or various fluorophores, including seven Alexa Fluor™ dyes, and are available in molecular weights of 3,000; 10,000; 40,000; 70,000; 500,000; and 2,000,000 daltons.

Dextran Net Charge and Fixability

Succinamidyl coupling of dyes to dextran molecules typically results in neutral or anionic dextrans. Alexa Fluor™ 488 dextrans are intrinsically anionic. Proprietary procedures allow production of “polyanionic” dextrans with enhanced negative charge. For fixation applications, lysine-fixable versions are available, enabling aldehyde-mediated conjugation for immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis.

Key Applications Using Labeled Dextrans

• Neuronal tracing (anterograde and retrograde) in live cells
• Cell lineage tracing in live cells
• Neuroanatomical tracing
• Examining intercellular communications (e.g., gap junctions, wound healing, embryonic development)
• Investigating vascular permeability and blood–brain barrier integrity
• Tracking endocytosis
• Monitoring acidification (for pH-sensitive dextran–dye conjugates)
• Studying hydrodynamic properties of the cytoplasmic matrix

For Research Use Only. Not intended for any animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use.

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