Simple and universally applicable methods for staining fixed cells are presented, as are methods that utilize detergents and proteolytic treatment to permeabilize cells. Additionally, supravital cell staining with Hoechst 33342, which is primarily used for sorting live cells for subsequent culturing based on DNA-content differences, is also described. Also presented are methods for staining of cell nuclei isolated from paraffin-embedded tissues, and deconvolution of DNA-content-frequency... - [Read Analysis of Cellular DNA Content by Flow Cytometry Protocol]
Analysis of DNA Fragmentation Using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Shailaja Kasibhatla et al. This protocol provides a qualitative method for assessing cell death by detecting DNA fragments using agarose gel electrophoresis. One of the classic features of apoptosis is the cleavage of the genomic DNA into oligonucleosomal fragments represented by multiples of 180-200 bp. Visualizing these fragments can aid in characterizing an apoptotic event. May be combined with more quantitative methods. - [Read Analysis of DNA Fragmentation Using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis (Subscription Required)]
Analysis of DNA Fragmentation Using the JAM Assay. By Shailaja Kasibhatla et al., The JAM assay is based on labeling nuclear DNA of cycling cells with [3H]thymidine and harvesting samples on glass fiber filters. Apoptosis will generate DNA fragments small enough to pass through the glass fiber filter, resulting in decreased radioactivity of the particular sample. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity or cell killing mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can also be measured by this technique. - [Read Analysis Of DNA Fragmentation Using The JAM Assay (Subscription Required)]
Yeast colonies are suspended in complete PCR buffer and transferred to a thermal cycler for 35 cycles of PCR. The products of the amplification reaction are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. - [Read Analyzing Yeast Colonies by PCR Protocol]
Different cell types vary in their phosphatidylserine (PS) content, along with the amount of PS exposure on the cell surface after cell death. This protocol is a guideline for getting started, however it may be necessary to adjust the concentration of the Annexin V-FITC. - [Read Annexin V Protocol for Flow Cytometry]
Extreme care should be used to identify and verify positive reactions, however, because cross-reactions are common. Counterstaining is essential for examining worms by immunofluorescence and is used to identify the exact cell in which an antigen appears. Methods for counterstaining include labeling all cells with a fluorescent dye that is specific for nucleic acids (e.g., DAPI or propidium iodide) and using GFP driven by tissue-specific promoters. - [Read Antibody Addition and Detection for Staining Caenorhabditis elegans Protocol]
Enzyme-linked reagents give excellent sensitivity and use a simple light microscope for detection. A range of enzymes is available, but for staining in situ, horseradish peroxidase will suit most needs. Diaminobenzidine (DAB) is one of the most sensitive substrates for horseradish peroxidase. It yields an intense brown product that is insoluble in both water and alcohol. It can be made more sensitive by adding metal salts such as cobalt or nickel to the substrate solution. - [Read Antibody Addition to Drosophila Specimens and Detection Using Enzyme-Linked Reagents Protocol]
Protocol for antibody addition to Drosophila specimens and detection using fluorochrome-linked reagents. Fluorochrome-linked reagents should be used when high resolution is needed or if two antigens need to be localized simultaneously. Because of the thickness of fly specimens, detection requires access to a confocal microscope. - [Read Antibody Addition to Drosophila Specimens and Detection Using Fluorochrome-Linked Reagents Protocol]
The assay for ß-galactosidase relies on the ability of the enzyme to catalyze the hydrolysis of ONPG (o-nitrophenyl-ß-D- galactopyranoside) to free o-nitrophenol, which absorbs light at 420 nm. In this protocol, extracts of cells transfected with a ß-galactosidase reporter plasmid are incubated with ONPG. - [Read Assay for ß-galactosidase in Extracts of Mammalian Cells]
In this protocol, cells transfected with a luciferase reporter plasmid are lysed in a detergent-containing buffer. Luciferase in the extract catalyzes an oxidation reaction in which D-luciferin is converted to oxyluciferin, with production of light at 556 nm that can be quantified in a luminometer. - [Read Assay for Luciferase in Extracts of Mammalian Cells Protocol]
Method describes how a crude extract is prepared, and the activity is normalized to the amount of protein assayed. This method is particularly suitable for comparing cells that are grown under very different conditions or that have different genetic backgrounds. - [Read Assay of ß-Galactosidase in Yeast: Assay of Crude Extracts]
Protocol describes how a crude extract is prepared, and the activity is normalized to the amount of protein assayed. This method is particularly suitable for comparing cells that are grown under very different conditions or that have different genetic backgrounds. - [Read Assay of ß-Galactosidase in Yeast: Assay of Crude Extracts Protocol]
In Vitro Translated Xenopus Mos Kinase Assay Protocol. In response to progesterone, immature Xenopus oocytes mature to eggs that can be fertilized. The Mos protein kinase is essential for oocyte maturation, most likely due to its ability to activate the MAP kinase cascade. This MAP kinase cascade eventually leads to the activation of Cdc2/cyclin B and entry into M phase. In this protocol, tagged Mos kinase is translated in vitro, immunopurified, and used in a kinase assay.