Ruthenium red  (Synonyms: Ammoniated ruthenium oxychloride)

Ruthenium red (Ammoniated ruthenium oxychloride) is a polycationic dye widely used for electron microscopy (EM) of cells, tissues and vegetative bacteria. Ruthenium red strongly reacts with phospholipids and fatty acids and binds to acidic mucopolysaccharides. Ruthenium red is a L-type calcium current (I_Ca) blocker^[1][2].

Ruthenium red staining of intracellular organelles and structures seemed to depend on the time of exposure to this agent, as well on the concentration used^[2].
Ruthenium red efficiently blocks the L-type calcium current in a dose-dependent manner in in guinea-pig isolated ventricular heart cells, with EC₅₀ of 0.8 μM^[2].
Ruthenium red (10 μM) blocks the sarcoplasmic Ca²⁺ release channels or the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake, and blocks 26.7 % of the sodium current, and slows its inactivation time-course in guinea-pig isolated ventricular heart cells^[2].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

786.35

Cl₆H₄₂N₁₄O₂Ru₃

11103-72-3

Solid

[NH3][Ru](O[Ru]([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])O[Ru]([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])[NH3])([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])[NH3].[6+].[Cl-].[6]

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

4°C, protect from light

*In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light)

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

* Note: If you choose water as the stock solution, please dilute it to the working solution, then filter and sterilize it with a 0.22 μm filter before use.

• [1]. Lashanda N Waller, et al. Ruthenium red staining for ultrastructural visualization of a glycoprotein layer surrounding the spore of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus subtilis. J Microbiol Methods. 2004 Jul;58(1):23-30.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Claire O Malécot, et al. Ruthenium red as an effective blocker of calcium and sodium currents in guinea-pig isolated ventricular heart cells. Br J Pharmacol. 1998 Jun; 124(3): 465-472.  [Content Brief]