Propidium monoazide (PMA) is a propidium derivative with an azide group that allows crosslinkage to DNA upon light exposure. PMA is only permeable to bacteria with compromised membrane integrity, making it highly selective for sick/dying/dead cells over healthy cells. PMA is typically added to cell samples (50 μM for 1-15 min in the dark) prior to cross-linking induction (650-W halogen light source), washing and DNA extraction. Due to its higher charge, PMA (+2) is less permeant to live cells and more selective than ethidium monoazide/EMA (+1) for dead cells. The stained cells can also be viewed and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy.
Comparison of propidium monoazide with ethidium monoazide for differentiation of live vs. dead bacteria by selective removal of DNA from dead cells
Journal of Microbiological Methods, 67(2), 310-320 (2006)
First Report on the Rapid Detection and Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Viable but Non-culturable (VBNC) Under Food Storage Conditions
Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 615875-615875 (2021)
Whole microbial community viability is not quantitatively reflected by propidium monoazide sequencing approach
Microbiome, 9(1), 17-17 (2021)
Rapid profiling of drug-resistant bacteria using DNA-binding dyes and a nanopore-based DNA sequencer
Scientific Reports, 11(1), 3436-3436 (2021)
Detection and Potential Virulence of Viable but Non-Culturable (VBNC) Listeria monocytogenes: A Review
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