Ethidium
Synonyms
Bromide, Ethidium
Bromide, Homidium
Ethidium Bromide
Homidium Bromide
Novidium
Phenanthridinium, 3,8-diamino-5-ethyl-6-phenyl-
A trypanocidal agent and possible antiviral agent that is widely used in experimental cell biology and biochemistry. Ethidium has several experimentally useful properties including binding to nucleic acids, noncompetitive inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and fluorescence among others. It is most commonly used as the bromide.