Apoptosis detection methods are empowering researchers to monitor and understand the program of cellular events that end in death. You can now find products to assay an increasing variety of pertinent proteins with greater sensitivity and reliability. Whether youre gearing up for high throughput projects or inspecting the condition of a few clinical samples, the markets offerings are sure to meet your needs.
Earnest study of apoptosis began in the 1960s and reached its first milestone in the 1970s, when Nobel laureates John Sulston and Robert Horvitz mapped the fates of all 1,090 cells of C. elegans. Their work revealed that 131 cells were destined for death. Subsequent researchers used the information as a springboard to isolate the specific genes involved. Now cell biologists know that an intricate network of signals is responsible for the regulation and activation of apoptosis. Such discoveries have provided greater options in studying the phenomenon to find treatments for cancer, infections, and strokes.
For example, researchers have shed light on the mitochondrias role. Prior to the onset of apoptosis, the mitochondrial membrane depolarizes and breaks down, preventing further production of ATP. The release of cytochrome c, a main component of the ATP-generating machinery in the mitochondria, touches off a series of events that leads the cell down the path of programmed cell death, including condensation and fragmentation of the chromatin, disintegration of organelles, and changes in cell shape. Assays that assess the ratio of ADP to ATP or the activity of cytochrome c help detect apoptosis in your samples.
Or you can gauge other biochemical factors. Some researchers prefer assaying for Cytosolic Aspartate-Specific Proteases or CASPases, which are a group of enzymes that break down the cell. Others choose to check levels of nitric oxide or the presence of phosphatidylserine, which is exposed on the cell membrane during apoptosis. These assays typically come packaged as kits, which usually cause the target molecules to activate a fluorescent signal. Depending on your project, you can choose from protocols including immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, or microplates.
If youre interested in focusing on the morphologic changes of apoptosis, you might be interested in products that help assess the condition of the cells genetic material. You can examine the characteristic DNA fragments of apoptosis by using modified nucleotides with fluorescent probes or other labels. Some kits also help with extracting the DNA fragments with gel electrophoresis, or you can circumvent the need for extraction by trying products that enable in situ detection through flow cytometry or microscopy.
Strategies abound in the pursuit of apoptotic knowledge. Take your pick from well-stocked shelves that hold products such as those below. Your path to enlightenment starts right now.
Setting the New Standard in mRNA Quantitation
Genospectra
Finallya simple and precise way to simultaneously measure multiple target mRNAs directly from your sample. Introducing QuantiGene Plexthe only way to accurately quantitiate mRNA without RNA purification, reverse transcription, or target amplification! Now, assessing apoptosis gene expression signatures from a variety of sample types including cell lysates, tissues, FFPE, and whole blood is simple, precise, accurate and fast. Get more information from precious or volume-limited samples and save time, labor, reagents and cost.
Key criteria for determining whether a cell is undergoing apoptosis include distinct morphological changes in the appearance of the cell, as well as alterations in biochemical and molecular markers. The general patterns of apoptotic signals are similar, but the details of the pathways vary significantly depending on the cell type and apoptotic inducer. The Multiparameter Apoptosis 1 HitKit HCS Reagent Kit from Cellomics, Inc. addresses the multiplicity of apoptotic pathways by providing High Content Screening (HCS)-qualified fluorescent reagents and a validated, optimized protocol for simultaneous measurement of three fundamental parameters associated with the process of apoptosis.
Precise characterization of apoptotic cells is critical to many areas of research. Invitrogen offers reagents for detecting individual events in the complex apoptosis pathway, using a variety of detection platforms. Analyze membrane asymmetry, mitochondrial activity, chromatin condensation, and moreInvitrogen provides the tools to help you accurately determine the apoptotic state of cells.
Study Apoptosis with Colorimetric Detection of Cytochrome c
At the onset of apoptosis, cytochrome c is released from mitochondria into the cytosol; thus, cytochrome c translocation is frequently used to detect apoptosis. Active Motifs FunctionELISA Cytochrome c is a fast, reproducible ELISA that quantifies cytochrome c in mitochondrial and cytosolic extracts. Cytochrome c Capture Antibody is supplied immobilized in a 96-well plate. Addition of sample, Detecting Antibody and Developing Reagent provide a colorimetric signal that accurately indicates the beginning of apoptosis in response to external stimuli.
