merocyanine 540

Merocyanine 540 is a synthetic anionic cyanine dye with pronounced photophysical properties, commonly used in biomedical research as a fluorescent membrane probe and as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy and photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms. Upon illumination, merocyanine 540 intercalates into lipid bilayers and preferentially binds to cell membranes, where it produces photochemical damage mediated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cell death. Its mechanisms are selective photodamaging effects against cell membranes, effective against various bacteria (including Staphylococcus aureus), enveloped viruses, and leukemic cells. It has also been studied for use in measuring membrane potential and as an agent in photodynamic therapy and research in membrane biophysics[5][7][9].

Other names

Merocyanine-540Merocyanine540Merocyanine 5403(2H)-Benzoxazolepropanesulfonic acid 2-(4-(1,3-dibutyltetrahydro-4,6-dioxo-2-thioxo-5(2H)-pyrimidinylidene)-2-butenylidene)-, sodium saltsodium 3-(2-(4-(1,3-dibutyl-4,6-dioxo-2-thioxotetrahydropyrimidin-5(2H)-ylidene)but-2-en-1-ylidene)benzo[d]oxazol-3(2H)-yl)propane-1-sulfonate