Chemicals and Drugs

Propidium

Quaternary ammonium analog of ethidium; an intercalating dye with a specific affinity to certain forms of DNA and, used as diiodide, to separate them in density gradients; also forms fluorescent complexes with cholinesterase which it inhibits.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Quaternary ammonium analog of ethidium; an intercalating dye with a specific affinity to certain forms of DNA and, used as diiodide, to separate them in density gradients; also forms fluorescent complexes with cholinesterase which it inhibits.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C27H34N4+2
Molecular Weight
414.6 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
36015-30-2
IUPAC Name
3-(3,8-diamino-6-phenylphenanthridin-5-ium-5-yl)propyl-diethyl-methylazanium
InChIKey
ZDWVWKDAWBGPDN-UHFFFAOYSA-O
SMILES
CC[N+](C)(CC)CCC[N+]1=C2C=C(C=CC2=C3C=CC(=CC3=C1C4=CC=CC=C4)N)N
MeSH Unique ID
D011419
Source
PubChem CID 4939

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Propidium Diiodide
  • Propidium Iodide
  • Diiodide, Propidium
  • Iodide, Propidium

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

19 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, analysis, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity.

MeSH Record

History Note

91(79); was see under PHENANTHRIDINES 1979-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Ethidium (1974-1978)
  • Phenanthridines (1969-1978)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Propidium. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D011419. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D011419
  2. Propidium. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27093226
  3. Propidium. In: PubChem Compound. CID 4939. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4939