2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein 3',6'-diacetate

2',7'-Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) is a diacetate-protected derivative of the fluorescent dye 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF). The acetate groups reduce fluorescence and increase membrane permeability. Following hydrolysis by intracellular or purified esterases, the acetate groups are removed and fluorescent 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein is generated. DCF-DA can therefore be used as a fluorogenic substrate for studying esterase activity and for applications in which enzymatic deacetylation to fluorescent DCF is monitored. Spectral data: λex=504nm, λem=524nm in 0.1 M Tris pH 8.0 (esterase).