Ruthenium red
Based on 16 publication(s) in Google Scholar
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 (ICa) blocker.
For research use only. We do not sell to patients.
- Purity: 99.95%
- CAS No.: 11103-72-3
- Formula: Cl6H42N14O2Ru3
- Molecular Weight:786.35
-
Storage:
4°C, protect from light
* In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light)
Publications Citing Use of MedChemExpress (MCE) Ruthenium red
More- Nature. 2026 Apr;652(8108):209-219. [Abstract]
- Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 27;15(1):7369. [Abstract]
- Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024 Nov 8:e2405705. [Abstract]
- Small Methods. 2025 Mar;9(3):e2401144. [Abstract]
- Dev Cell. 2024 Jul 3:S1534-5807(24)00385-X. [Abstract]
- Free Radic Biol Med. 2023 Aug 20:205:25-46. [Abstract]
- Cell Rep. 2023 Dec 2;42(12):113522. [Abstract]
- Front Pharmacol. 2022 May 17;13:855626. [Abstract]
- J Ovarian Res. 2025 Nov 29;19(1):4. [Abstract]
- Cell Calcium. 2026 May 23:136:103155. [Abstract]
- J Virol. 2025 Mar 18;99(3):e0217724. [Abstract]
- Biomed Res Int. 2021 May 14:2021:5565748. [Abstract]
- J Ocean Univ China. 2026 25: 611-625.
- Biocell. 2026 Jan 23.
- SSRN. 2025 Apr 10.
- bioRxiv. 2024 May 8:2024.05.07.592424. [Abstract]
All Calcium Channel Isoforms
More
Biological Activity
|
L-type calcium channel |
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.
Chemical Information
-
CAS No. 11103-72-3
-
Appearance Solid
-
Molecular Weight 786.35
-
Formula Cl6H42N14O2Ru3
-
Color Brown to black
-
SMILES
[NH3][Ru](O[Ru]([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])O[Ru]([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])[NH3])([NH3])([NH3])([NH3])[NH3].[6+].[Cl-].[6]
-
Synonyms
Ammoniated ruthenium oxychloride
-
Shipping
Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.
-
Storage
4°C, protect from light
* In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light)
Publications (16)
-
Journal Impact Factor
-
Most Recent
-
Nature
2026 Apr;652(8108):209-219. PMID: 41781621 -
Nat Commun
2024 Aug 27;15(1):7369. PMID: 39191796 -
Adv Sci (Weinh)
Piezo1 Regulates Stiffness-Dependent DRG Axon Regeneration via Modifying Cytoskeletal Dynamics. [Abstract]2024 Nov 8:e2405705. PMID: 39514408 -
Small Methods
An Integrated Microcurrent Delivery System Facilitates Human Parathyroid Hormone Delivery for Enhancing Osteoanabolic Effect. [Abstract]2025 Mar;9(3):e2401144. PMID: 39420694 -
Dev Cell
GRP75-dependent mitochondria-ER contacts ensure cell survival during early mouse thymocyte development. [Abstract]2024 Jul 3:S1534-5807(24)00385-X. PMID: 38981469 -
Free Radic Biol Med
β-carotene targets IP3R/GRP75/VDAC1-MCU axis to renovate LPS-induced mitochondrial oxidative damage by regulating STIM1. [Abstract]2023 Aug 20:205:25-46. PMID: 37270031 -
Cell Rep
Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion regulated by Piezo1 is critical for stiffness-dependent DRG neuron aggregation. [Abstract]2023 Dec 2;42(12):113522. PMID: 38048221 -
Front Pharmacol
Resibufogenin Targets the ATP1A1 Signaling Cascade to Induce G2/M Phase Arrest and Inhibit Invasion in Glioma. [Abstract]2022 May 17;13:855626. PMID: 35656311 -
J Ovarian Res
M6A modification mediates CACNA1A stability to drive the progression of ovarian cancer by inhibiting ferroptosis. [Abstract]2025 Nov 29;19(1):4. PMID: 41316396 -
Cell Calcium
Drug repurposing DMSO from an old solvent to a new candidate for the treatment of colitis and sepsis in male mice. [Abstract]2026 May 23:136:103155. PMID: 42235215 -
J Virol
Seneca Valley virus induces mitochondrial apoptosis by activating ER stress or the PERK pathway based on Ca2+ transfer from ER to mitochondria. [Abstract]2025 Mar 18;99(3):e0217724. PMID: 39912666 -
Biomed Res Int
Gentiopicroside Produces Endothelium-Independent Vasodilation by Deactivating the PI3K/Akt/Rho-Kinase Pathway in Isolated Rat Thoracic Aorta. [Abstract]2021 May 14:2021:5565748. PMID: 34095301 -
-
-
-
bioRxiv
2024 May 8:2024.05.07.592424. PMID: 38766123
Solvent & Solubility
H2O : 10 mg/mL (12.72 mM; ultrasonic and warming and heat to 60°C)
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.
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.
Concentration (start) × Volume (start) = Concentration (final) × Volume (final)
Purity & Documentation
-
Data Sheet (288 KB)
-
SDS (396 KB)
- English - EN (396 KB)
- Français - FR (396 KB)
- Deutsch - DE (396 KB)
- Norwegian - NO (396 KB)
- Español - ES (396 KB)
- Swedish - SV (396 KB)
- Italian - IT (396 KB)
- Korean - KR (396 KB)
- Portuguese - PT (396 KB)
-
Handling Instructions (2659 KB)
References
[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]
Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table
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.
| Optional Solvent | Concentration Solvent Mass | 1 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg | 25 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H2O | 1 mM | 1.2717 mL | 6.3585 mL | 12.7170 mL | 31.7925 mL |
| 5 mM | 0.2543 mL | 1.2717 mL | 2.5434 mL | 6.3585 mL | |
| 10 mM | 0.1272 mL | 0.6358 mL | 1.2717 mL | 3.1792 mL |
* 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.