Digoxigenine

Digoxigenine is a cardiac glycoside, a type of compound produced by plants of the genus Digitalis, commonly known as foxglove. It is a derivative of digoxin, another cardiac glycoside, and is used primarily in medical research and as a research tool. Digoxigenine is notable for its ability to inhibit DNA polymerase alpha, an enzyme involved in DNA replication. This property makes it useful in molecular biology for labeling DNA and in the development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Digoxigenine is also used in the production of digoxigenin, a hapten that is conjugated to antibodies for immunodetection. The compound is typically administered orally or intravenously, and its effects are monitored through blood tests to ensure safety and efficacy. Like other cardiac glycosides, digoxigenine can have toxic effects if not properly managed, including gastrointestinal upset and cardiac arrhythmias. Its use is generally restricted to controlled research settings due to these potential risks.