Use of aqueous solutions of two basic dyes for the demonstration of DNA

This paper presents informations as to the ability of aqueous solutions of two basic dyes, such as Dahlia and Victoria blue, belonging to aminotriarylmethane group for the staining of DNA-aldehyde molecules as well as DNA-phosphate groups. It has been found that sections of rat tissues stained with aqueous solutions of these dyes after acid hydrolysis followed by drying between folds of filter paper and treatment in n-butanol for a minute and then by a very brief treatment in a mixture consisting of equal parts of n-butanol and absolute ethanol reveal well-stained nuclei. Tissue sections after acid hydrolysis when stained with aqueous solutions of these dyes and then treated with SO2 water do not reveal any colouration of the nuclei. Since both the dyes are without any primary amino group in their molecules, it has been concluded that the imino group of Dahlia and the tertiary amino group of Victoria blue with cold concentrated phosphoric acid and then stained with any of these dyes also exhibit well-stained nuclei. The absorption spectra of nuclei stained with these dyes for DNA-aldehyde molecules as well as DNA-phosphate groups reveal positions of the peaks of maximum absorption at the same wavelength, which, however, are different in the case of nuclei stained with the two dyes. The implications of these findings have been discussed.