Bromodeoxyuridine
Encyclopedia
Bromodeoxyuridine is a synthetic nucleoside
that is an analogue
of thymidine
. BrdU is commonly used in the detection of proliferating cells in living tissues.
BrdU can be incorporated into the newly synthesized DNA
of replicating cells (during the S phase
of the cell cycle), substituting for thymidine during DNA replication
. Antibodies
specific for BrdU can then be used to detect the incorporated chemical (see immunohistochemistry
), thus indicating cells that were actively replicating their DNA. Binding of the antibody requires denaturation
of the DNA, usually by exposing the cells to acid or heat.
Because BrdU can replace thymidine during DNA replication, it can cause mutation
s, and its use is therefore potentially a health hazard.
The Br substitution can also be used in X-Ray diffraction experiments in crystals containing either DNA or RNA. The Br atom acts as an anomalous scatterer and its larger size will affect the crystal's x-ray diffraction enough to detect isomorphous differences as well.
Nucleoside
Nucleosides are glycosylamines consisting of a nucleobase bound to a ribose or deoxyribose sugar via a beta-glycosidic linkage...
that is an analogue
Analog (chemistry)
In chemistry, a structural analog , also known as chemical analog or simply analog, is a compound having a structure similar to that of another one, but differing from it in respect of a certain component. It can differ in one or more atoms, functional groups, or substructures, which are replaced...
of thymidine
Thymidine
Thymidine is a chemical compound, more precisely a pyrimidine deoxynucleoside. Deoxythymidine is the DNA nucleoside T, which pairs with deoxyadenosine in double-stranded DNA...
. BrdU is commonly used in the detection of proliferating cells in living tissues.
BrdU can be incorporated into the newly synthesized DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
of replicating cells (during the S phase
S phase
S-phase is the part of the cell cycle in which DNA is replicated, occurring between G1 phase and G2 phase. Precise and accurate DNA replication is necessary to prevent genetic abnormalities which often lead to cell death or disease. Due to the importance, the regulatory pathways that govern this...
of the cell cycle), substituting for thymidine during DNA replication
DNA replication
DNA replication is a biological process that occurs in all living organisms and copies their DNA; it is the basis for biological inheritance. The process starts with one double-stranded DNA molecule and produces two identical copies of the molecule...
. Antibodies
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
specific for BrdU can then be used to detect the incorporated chemical (see immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry or IHC refers to the process of detecting antigens in cells of a tissue section by exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to antigens in biological tissues. IHC takes its name from the roots "immuno," in reference to antibodies used in the procedure, and...
), thus indicating cells that were actively replicating their DNA. Binding of the antibody requires denaturation
Denaturation (biochemistry)
Denaturation is a process in which proteins or nucleic acids lose their tertiary structure and secondary structure by application of some external stress or compound, such as a strong acid or base, a concentrated inorganic salt, an organic solvent , or heat...
of the DNA, usually by exposing the cells to acid or heat.
Because BrdU can replace thymidine during DNA replication, it can cause mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
s, and its use is therefore potentially a health hazard.
The Br substitution can also be used in X-Ray diffraction experiments in crystals containing either DNA or RNA. The Br atom acts as an anomalous scatterer and its larger size will affect the crystal's x-ray diffraction enough to detect isomorphous differences as well.
External links
- BrdU incorporation during DNA replication - Jiayang Chien, Wellesley College
- BrdU at OpenWetWare, the bioscience wiki]
- BrdU Modifications at IDT DNA