X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside), white powder

Supplier: MP Biomedicals

Synonyms: BCIG, X-GAL, (2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-2-((5-Bromo-4-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)oxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triol

0215000105 0215000150 0215000180 0215000183 0215000190 0215000191
ICNA0215000105EA 91.3 SGD
ICNA0215000105 ICNA0215000150 ICNA0215000180 ICNA0215000183 ICNA0215000190 ICNA0215000191
X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside), white powder
X-Gal (5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-ß-D-galactopyranoside)

5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl b-D-galactopyranoside, commonly known as X-Gal, is a histochemical substrate for b-galactosidase. X-Gal is cleaved by b-galactosidase to yield an insoluble blue precipitate.


X-Gal is particularly useful in molecular biology applications to detect the activity of b-galactosidase which is frequently used as a reporter gene. Insertion of DNA into the lac Z region results in the loss of b-galactosidase activity. Lac+ bacterial colonies resulting from a-complementation will appear blue whereas bacterial colonies containing plasmid with DNA inserted in the lac Z region, will be incapable of a-complementation and will appear white.


5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl b-D-galactopyranoside is used as indigogenic substrate for b - galactosidase, for detection of b - galactosidase-positive clones, and the identification of lac and bacterial colonies or phage plaques. X-Gal is a chromogenic substrate for β-galactosidase that produces a rich blue color that can easily be detected visually over background. X-Gal is the substrate of choice for blue-white selection of recombinant bacterial colonies with the lac+ genotype.

Formula: C₁₄H₁₅BrClNO₆
MW: 408,63 g/mol
Melting Pt: 230 °C (dec.)
Storage Temperature: Freezer
MDL Number: MFCD00005666
CAS Number: 7240-90-6
EINECS: 230-640-8

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