ß-Galactosidase Detection Reagents Selection Guide

X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside) is widely used as a chromogenic substrate for ß-galactosidase in the reporter gene assay. X-Gal is a small molecule which consists of Galactose moiety and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indole moiety. When X-Gal is cleaved, an insoluble blue precipitate is formed.

Fluorescein Di-ß-D-galactopyranoside (FDG), which is a fluorescein-based galactosidase substrates, and is used for detection of ß-galactosidase. This substrate forms a soluble green fluorescent product upon hydrolysis.

Although FDG enters viable cells, its permeability is insufficient for the use of live cell imaging. C12FDG, which is a variant of FDG, has been modified to have higher cell permeability. C12FDG can be loaded in the live cells; however, high concentration and long incubation time are required for loading into live cells.

To overcome these issues, Dojindo has introduced SPiDER-ßGal. By the enzymatic reaction, SPiDER-ßGal produces a quinone methide and forms covalent bond with nucleophic functional groups of the proteins in the vicinity of the molecules, producing a fluorescent product that is well retained by cells. Unlike commercially available substrates, SPiDER-ßGal allows a single-cell analysis under the lowest level of substrate concentration.

* This Conc. is for ELISA format.