Description
Alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme derived from bovine intestinal mucosa, is often used as a label for in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, Southern and Northern hybridization and DNA sequencing. Detection of this enzyme requires the use of an insoluble colored substrate. Novus' BCIP/NBT is a stable ready to use solution which produces a blue colored end product at the positive sites and provides excellent contrast with red nuclear fast counter stain. Specimens stained in BCIP/NBT can not be dehydrated in ethanol and should be mounted in aqueous mounting medium Alkaline phosphatase cleaves the phosphate group from BCIP to produce precipitating indoxyl group. This group then dimerizes resulting in the reduction of the NBT to produce a dark blue insoluble Formazan product.
