Neutral red treated plant cells show reduced affinity for nuclease/gold complexes

Fixation of bean root tips with glutaraldehyde containing the dye, neutral red, almost totally blocked the binding of RNase/gold to cytoplasmic ribosomes, RER and, within the nucleus, to the nucleolus and nuclear matrix. The binding of DNase/gold in plastids and the nucleus was only partially reduced. It was concluded that neutral red intercalated into RNA molecules and possibly into some DNA molecules and inhibited enzymic binding.