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Applied and Environmental Microbiology logoLink to Applied and Environmental Microbiology
. 1994 Dec;60(12):4638–4641. doi: 10.1128/aem.60.12.4638-4641.1994

Use of fluorescein-di-beta-D-galactopyranoside (FDG) and C12-FDG as substrates for beta-galactosidase detection by flow cytometry in animal, bacterial, and yeast cells.

A Plovins 1, A M Alvarez 1, M Ibañez 1, M Molina 1, C Nombela 1
PMCID: PMC202038  PMID: 7811104

Abstract

Fluorescein-di-beta-D-galactopyranoside (FDG) was found to be a useful substrate for beta-galactosidase detection by flow cytometry in gram-negative bacteria, since it entered viable cells and gave a fluorescence emission proportional to the enzymatic activity. C12-FDG, a more lipophilic derivative, gave a very poor signal because of the lack of penetration. On the contrary, C12-FDG was more sensitive than FDG for beta-galactosidase activity determinations in animal cells. In contrast to previous reports, C12-FDG did not enter viable yeast cells, so that the use of the substrate required cell permeabilization. Without this treatment, C12-FDG penetrates only nonviable yeast cells that may occur in populations expressing beta-galactosidase.

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Selected References

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