Summary
Two new cationic copper phthalocyanins, isomers of each other, have been synthesised, and compared with Alcian blue 8GX as stains for a variety of polyanions. Analysis of dye-substrate affinities has been carried out using the ‘critical electrolyte concentration’ (CEC) approach. Recently acquired data on the complete structure of Alcian blue permit interpretations of the affinities in terms of clearly defined interactions with known features of the secondary structures of natural and synthetic nucleic acids. Molecular models and the CEC analysis complement each other in providing an integrated picture of the staining mechanism. A ‘size criterion’ for the intra-helical binding of phthalocyanins has been established, which explains the histochemical staining behaviour of Alcian blue and its analogues. Evidence is produced to show that appropriate dyes may act as “templates” on which very flexible polyanions containing aromatic rings may take up conformations, in complexes which are very stable.
One of the new phthalocyanins based on quinolinic acid, has been shown to have a very specific affinity for RNA in vitro and in tissues, in concentrated salt solutions.
The general problem of the analysis of histochemical staining by dyes is discussed. The CEC analysis is obtained in a form which is immediately applicable to the investigation of tissue polyanions.
Future developments of cationic phthalocyanin dyes, to perform specific histochemical tasks, are indicated.
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Scott, J.E. Histochemistry of Alcian blue. Histochemie 32, 191–212 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306028
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306028