Phenol Red CAS 143-74-8 in Cell Culture
"Detailed Elaboration on the Characteristics of Phenol Red and Related Research
In the current field of scientific research, some in-depth and forward-looking studies have shown that the substance phenol red may have estrogen-like activity. The estrogen-like activity mentioned here, specifically, refers to the fact that in a particular in vitro experimental environment or a well-designed in vivo model, phenol red demonstrates a unique ability to specifically bind to estrogen receptors. This combination is not an accidental physical adsorption, but rather a biologically significant interaction similar to that between estrogen and its receptor. Once the combination is successful, phenol red can further induce a series of reactions similar to those caused by estrogen, a discovery that has attracted extensive attention from researchers.
These studies are mainly based on the following important findings in several aspects:
** Regarding cell proliferation ** :
In numerous rigorous scientific experiments, some researchers have found that phenol red has a significant promoting effect on cell proliferation for certain specific types of cell lines, such as hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells. This effect is extremely similar to the influence that estrogen has on cell proliferation. When phenol red was added to the culture system containing such breast cancer cells, researchers found through meticulous observation and precise detection methods that the growth rate of the cells significantly accelerated, and the number of cells showed a regular growth trend. This growth is not disordered. Instead, under the effect of phenol red, cells seem to receive some kind of "growth signal" similar to that transmitted by estrogen, thereby initiating their own proliferation program.
** Gene expression level ** :
Some in-depth studies have revealed the unique role of phenol red in the regulation of gene expression. Studies have shown that phenol red can regulate gene expression through a complex and delicate mechanism, thereby simulating the effect of estrogen. For example, in breast cancer cells, phenol red can promote the expression of estrogen receptor-related genes. Specifically, when phenol red enters cells, it interacts with a series of molecules within the cells. These interactions, like a domino effect, ultimately affect the transcription and translation processes of genes. During this process, genes related to estrogen receptors are activated, and their expression levels increase significantly, thereby triggering a series of physiological changes related to the estrogen response.
** The influence of enzyme activity ** :
A large amount of research data indicates that phenol red has a significant impact on the activities of certain enzymes closely related to estrogen metabolism and signal transduction. During the metabolic process of cells, these enzymes play a crucial role. They are involved in multiple links such as the synthesis, decomposition and signal transmission of estrogen. When phenol red is present, it may interact directly or indirectly with these enzymes, altering the spatial structure of the enzymes or the conformation of the active sites, thereby affecting the catalytic efficiency of the enzymes. This effect on enzyme activity further explains the complex mechanism of action of phenol red within cells and the intricate connections between it and estrogen metabolism and signal transduction pathways.
Phenol red as an indicator of the pH of the culture medium:
During the process of cell culture, phenol red is often used as an indicator of the pH of the culture medium. When the culture medium is in a neutral state, phenol red will present a bright red color. When the culture medium becomes acidic, its color will change to a bright yellow. When the culture medium is alkaline, phenol red will show a unique purple color. This characteristic of color change enables researchers to have a direct understanding of the pH level of the culture medium, thereby adjusting the culture conditions in a timely manner and providing a suitable environment for cell growth.
However, research has found that phenol red is not merely a simple acid-base indicator. Studies show that phenol red can, to a certain extent, simulate the effects of steroid hormones (especially estrogen). This discovery has aroused high vigilance among scientific researchers. To avoid the interference of steroid reactions on the experimental results, when conducting cell culture, especially for the culture of mammalian cells, it should be carried out in a medium free of phenol red. This is because mammalian cells are more sensitive to subtle changes in the external environment. The presence of phenol red may interfere with the normal physiological functions and metabolic processes of the cells, thereby affecting the accuracy and reliability of the experimental results.
In some experiments that require high-precision detection, such as flow cytometry, since phenol red may interfere with the test results, some rigorous researchers choose not to use culture media containing phenol red. They are well aware that even the slightest interfering factor can lead to deviations in the experimental results, thereby affecting the accurate understanding of cell characteristics and physiological processes.
Other applications of phenol red as an acid-base indicator:
In addition to being used as a pH indicator in cell culture, phenol red can also serve as an indicator for carbon dioxide concentration detection, diagnostic auxiliary experiments, etc. In these application scenarios, the color change of phenol red can sensitively reflect the variation of carbon dioxide concentration or certain specific physiological states, providing a simple and effective detection method for researchers and clinicians.
** Sensitivity of different cell lines to phenol red ** :
Most common cell lines have shown strong tolerance to the medium containing phenolic red, that is, they are not sensitive to the presence of phenolic red and can grow and metabolize normally in the medium containing phenolic red. However, it should be noted that some specific cell lines may be relatively sensitive to phenol red and may even cause adverse reactions. The following are some examples of cell types that may be sensitive to phenol red:
** Eosinophils **
Some eosinophils may have a relatively high sensitivity to phenol red. Since phenol red turns yellow in an acidic environment, this color change may interfere with the normal physiological processes of eosinophils. Eosinophils play a significant role in the body's immune defense and allergic reactions, and they are highly sensitive to changes in the external environment. When the phenol red in the culture medium changes, eosinophils may misjudge the surrounding environmental signals, thereby affecting their normal functional performance.
"Nerve cells" :
Some nerve cells may also have an allergic reaction to phenol red or be affected by cytotoxicity. Nerve cells are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. They have a high degree of differentiation and complex physiological functions. Because nerve cells are extremely sensitive to external stimuli, the additive phenol red in the culture medium may disrupt the intracellular balance and trigger a series of adverse reactions. These adverse reactions may include changes in cell membrane permeability, disorders of intracellular ion concentration, and abnormalities in cellular metabolic processes, ultimately leading to functional impairment or even death of nerve cells.
"Specific tumor cells"
Some specific tumor cells may show particular sensitivity to phenol red or other indicators. During the long-term process of evolution, these tumor cells may have undergone some specific gene mutations and phenotypic changes, making them more sensitive to certain factors in the external environment. When they are in a medium containing phenol red, they may exhibit abnormal growth or metabolic behaviors. For instance, some tumor cells may accelerate their proliferation due to the presence of phenol red or experience disorders in the cell cycle, which undoubtedly poses greater challenges to the research and treatment of tumors.
