X-GAL CAS:7240-90-6 Manufacturer Price

Color Change: X-Gal is typically colorless but, upon hydrolysis by β-galactosidase, it turns blue. This color change allows for visual detection and quantification of β-galactosidase activity.

LacZ Gene Detection: X-Gal is used to identify cells or genetic constructs that express the lacZ gene. LacZ is commonly used as a reporter gene in molecular biology to assess gene expression or study promoter activity.

Colony Screening: X-Gal is often used in bacterial colony screening assays. LacZ-expressing bacterial colonies appear blue when grown on agar containing X-Gal, enabling easy identification and selection of lacZ-positive colonies.

Gene Fusion Analysis: X-Gal is also utilized in gene fusion experiments. When a target gene is linked to the lacZ gene, X-Gal staining can reveal the expression pattern of the fusion protein within a cell or tissue.

Protein Localization: X-Gal staining can be used to investigate subcellular protein localization. By fusing a protein of interest to the lacZ gene, the β-galactosidase activity can indicate where the protein localizes within a cell.

X-Gal Analogues: Modified forms of X-Gal, such as Bluo-Gal or Red-Gal, have been developed to allow for alternative color development schemes. These analogues enable differentiation between lacZ-positive and lacZ-negative cells or tissues using different colors.