HCV helicase

Tris(4-aminophenyl)methane (Compound 8) shows weak HCV helicase inhibition (30% inhibition at 100 μM). To preserve RNA in a biological sample for analysis, the sample is incubated with an RNA preservative capable of precipitating RNA in an aqueous solution, such as a triphenylmethane dye (e.g., methyl green, crystal violet, pararosaniline, or Tris(4-aminophenyl)methane), cresyl violet, or cobalt ions. RNA preservation may be used in an immunostaining assay and other histochemical methods.