ACMA, Fluorescent Dye

9-Amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine (ACMA) may be used in imaging and labeling applications in biological research, particularly for studying cellular processes and interactions.

9-Amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine (ACMA) is a versatile fluorescent molecule that exhibits pH-sensitive fluorescence, with high intensity at physiological pH and quenching upon protonation, coupled with decreased membrane permeability. 9-ACMA functions as a DNA intercalator, preferentially binding to poly(dA-dT) sequences over poly(dG-dC), with excitation/emission maxima around 410/480 nm, compatible with various UV light sources. ACMA interacts with energized membranes and undergoes fluorescence quenching in response to transmembrane pH gradients. It is extensively employed to monitor cation and anion movement across membranes and to study the proton-pumping activity of various membrane-bound ATPases. ACMA has the capability to induce frameshift mutations as well as transversion and transition mutations. Additionally, it can cause base-pair substitutions in the presence of S9 mix.