5-Bromodeoxyuridine

Product name: 5-Bromodeoxyuridine
CAS: 59-14-3
Molecular Formula: C9H11BrN2O5
Formula Weight: 307.1
Description:
Bromodeoxyuridine (5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, BrdU) is a synthetic nucleoside, which is a thymidine analogue. BrdU is usually used in the detection of proliferating cells in living tissues.
BrdU can be incorporated into the newly synthesized DNA of replication cells (during the S phase of the cell cycle), said thymidine is used during DNA replication. Specific BrdU antibodies can then be used for the integrated chemical (see immunohistochemistry) to detect and display cells that actively replicate their DNA. The binding of the antibody requires the denaturation of the DNA, usually by exposing the cells to acid or heat.
Because BrdU can replace thymidine during DNA replication, it can cause mutations, and therefore its use can be a health risk.