Image of ActinGreen™ 488 ReadyProbes® Reagent packaging

F-actin stain for fixed cells

ActinGreen 488 ReadyProbes Reagent is a selective, high-affinity F-actin probe conjugated to our bright, photostable green-fluorescent Alexa Fluor 488 dye. Like other ReadyProbes reagents, the ActinGreen 488 reagent is formulated as a room temperature–stable solution and comes in a convenient dropper bottle.

This protocol can be used for:

  • F-actin staining in fluorescence microscopy

This protocol should not be used for:

  • Flow cytometry

You will need the following for this protocol:

Protocol

Labeling fixed cells

First, fix and permeabilize cultured cells with a protocol appropriate for your sample. Counterstain as desired. DAPI may be added directly to fixative.

1. Wash the cells 1–3 times in PBS as needed.
2. Add two drops of ActinGreen 488 ReadyProbes Reagent per milliliter of medium.
3. Incubate for 30 minutes, protected from light.
4. Remove the stain solution.
5. Wash the cells 2–3 times in PBS.
6. Image the cells.
Spectral information and storage
 ActinGreen 488
Excitation/Emission (nm)495/518
Standard filter setFITC
EVOS Light CubeGFP
Storage conditionsRoom temperature

 

 



Protocol tips

Multicolor staining of HeLa cells
Multicolor staining of HeLa cells. HeLa cells were grown on coverslips and were fixed and permeabilized using the Image-iT Fixation/Permeabilization Kit. Cells were then stained to detect actin (green fluorescence from ActinGreen 488 ReadyProbes Reagent, B-catenin (red-orange fluorescence), and nuclei (blue fluorescence).