JC-1 is a mitochondrial dye that stains mitochondria in living cells in a membrane potential-dependent fashion. JC-1 monomer is in equilibrium with so-called Jaggregates, which are favored at higher dye concentration or higher mitochondrial membrane potential. The monomer JC-1 has green fluorescence (l_em = 527 nm), while the J-aggregates have red fluorescence (l_em = 590 nm). Therefore, it is possible to use fluorescence ratioing technique to study mitochondrial membrane potentials. JC-1 is particularly useful for apoptosis studies. In apoptotic cells, the dye stays in the cytoplasm and fluoresces green. It has also been used in high throughput drug screening applications.

JC-1, iodide (#70014) is the orginal salt form of the dye. Biotium developed JC-1 chloride salt (#70011) for applications where iodide ion is not desired. JC-1 chloride may also have the advantage of being slightly more water soluble than the iodide salt.

• e (MeOH) = 190,000
• Red solid soluble in DMSO
• Store at 4?C and protect from light, especially in solution
• C₂₅H₂₇Cl₅N₄
• Mwt: 561.5.