The process is regulated by a complex interplay of proteins and, until reaching “the point of no return”, can be halted or reversed at any point.
Early apoptotic cells can be detected with the help of annexin V; a protein encoded by the ANXA5 gene, which acts as an anticoagulant. Annexin V, like other members of the annexin protein family, binds to specific membrane proteins. During the early stages of apoptosis, the plasma membrane is rearranged, which results in changes to the cell membrane’s phospholipid asymmetry. One of the effects of these rearrangements is the display of phosphatidylserine (PS) at the outer plasma membrane. In healthy, quiescent cells PS is exclusively located at the inner membrane and therefore the exposure of PS is an indication of early apoptosis (Fadeel and Xue, 2009). Annexin V has a high binding affinity for PS in the presence of Ca2+ and is therefore a common tool for detecting apoptotic cells.
When annexin V staining is combined with a viability dye, apoptotic cells can be distinguished from healthy and necrotic cells (Figure 1).
Labeled annexin V, included in the kits, has been conjugated such that the native phospholipid binding properties of annexin V remain unaltered.
Tables 1-3. Excitation and emission max of StarBright Dye Annexin V conjugates, common viability dyes, and fluorescent proteins.
Laser |
Ex max |
Em max |
ZE5 Filter |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
SBUV400 |
355 |
335 |
394 |
387/11 |
SBUV795 |
355 |
340 |
792 |
750LP |
SBV440 |
405 |
383 |
436 |
440/22 |
SBV515 |
405 |
402 |
516 |
525/50 |
SBV790 |
405 |
402 |
782 |
750LP |
SBB675 |
488 |
476 |
675 |
692/80 |
SBB765 |
488 |
476 |
764 |
750LP |
SBY800 |
561 |
549 |
788 |
750LP |
Laser |
Ex max |
Em max |
ZE5 Filter |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
DAPI |
355 |
359 |
461 |
460/22 |
PI |
488 |
535 |
617 |
615/25 |
7-AAD |
561 |
546 |
647 |
670/30 |
DRAQ7 |
640 |
600 |
697 |
720/60 |
Laser |
Ex max |
Em max |
ZE5 Filter |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
eCFP |
405 |
458 |
480 |
460/22 |
eGFP |
488 |
488 |
507 |
525/35 |
eYFP |
488 |
515 |
528 |
525/35 |
mCherry |
561 |
587 |
610 |
615/24 |
RFP |
640 |
674 |
703 |
720/60 |
Fig. 2. Emission profiles of annexin V conjugates. Emission profiles split by excitation laser for annexin V conjugates, common viability dyes, and common fluorescent proteins. Filters used on the ZE5 Cell Analyzer are also shown to highlight the differences in max emission for the annexin V conjugates which facilitate their use in multicolor panels with reduced spillover and spreading.
Description | Target | Format | Clone | Applications | Citations | Code |
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