title: Improved fluorescent compounds for tracing cell lineage.
abstract: In this note simple methods for the synthesis of several new fluorescent cell lineage tracers are described. These are fluorescent dextrans with average molecular weights of approximately 11 X 10(3), and with one or more fluorophore molecules covalently coupled to each dextran chain. These fluorescent dextrans are brighter than commercially obtainable products, and can be microinjected using either air-pressure injection or iontophoresis. They are long-lasting and have a uniform distribution in the cytoplasm of embryonic cells, clearly revealing very fine cell extensions such as cilia, axons, and filipodia. A method is also described for covalently attaching free amino groups to fluorescent dextran to make the tracers cofixable with cellular constituents by aldehyde treatment. Fluorescent dextran-amine tracers allow embryonic cell lineages to be studied in fixed, permeabilized, or sectioned embryos.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Gimlich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: D000588:Amines / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D000818:Animals; D003911:Dextrans / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D007865:Leeches / Q000196:embryology; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D003911:Dextrans; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines