Apoptosis Kits for Detection & Assays

s

Annexin V Kits

Bio-Rad offers a quick and easy method for detecting apoptotic cells by flow cytometry using the Annexin V Apoptosis Kits.

• Offered in ten different formats and sizes, ranging from a 50 test size to a 200 test size for frequent users
• For use in multicolor flow cytometry experiments, conjugates available include PE, APC, and our new StarBright Dyes
• Options available for use across all five common lasers
• PE and APC kits include the viability dye propidium iodide to enable distinction between apoptotic and necrotic cells
• Annexin V staining buffer included with every kit

Labeled annexin V, included in the kits, has been conjugated to allow the native phospholipid binding properties of annexin V to remain unaltered.

Caspase FLICA Kits

Fig. 2. Results using poly caspase FLICA Kits (ICT091 & ICT092) analyzed by fluorescence microscopy show suspension cells labeled with FAM-VAD-FMK, and Hoechst 33342 stain. Both cells are apoptotic and dying - detected by (green) caspase activity and (blue) nuclear Hoechst staining. The left cell is much brighter green than the right cell, indicating that the left cell has more active caspases.

Caspases are cysteine proteases that can cleave other proteins, and upon activation, create a positive-feedback cascade, which ensures the cell will undergo apoptosis.

Our Caspase FLICA Apoptosis Detection Kits allow analysis of active caspases in whole, live cells. Their methodology is based on a unique cell-permeable and non-cytotoxic reagent called the Fluorochrome Inhibitor of Caspases (FLICA). The reagent contains a caspase inhibitor sequence (such as VAD) linked to a green (carboxyfluorescein, FAM) or red (sulforhodamine, SR) fluorescent probe.

Bio-Rad offers four types of Caspase FLICA Kit; FAM FLICA that fluoresces at 525 nm (green), SR FLICA which fluoresces at 590 nm (red), Magic Red FLICA which fluoresces at 628 nm (red) and FLICA 660 which fluoresces at 690 nm (far red). SR FLICA and FLICA 660 are useful for studying caspase activity in GFP-transfected cell lines and for multicolor experiments with other green reagents.

FLISP Serine Protease Assay Kits

Fig. 3. Jurkat cells were stained using the FLISP Serine Protease Assay Kit (APO009) and treated with staurosporine to induce apoptosis. Apoptotic cells positive for serine protease activity can be seen in the bottom right quadrant and dead cells positive for both serine protease and PI in the top right quadrant. Healthy cells are negative for both stains. Data acquired on the ZE5 Cell Analyzer.

Serine protease activation plays major roles in apoptosis, tumor malignancy, and as diagnostic indicators of breast, head, and neck carcinomas. They are also thought to play a role in infections and transplant rejection.

Our Fluorescent Labeled Inhibitors of Serine Protease (FLISP) Kits allow the detection of intracellular chymotrypsin-like activity of serine proteases in live cells. Active chymotrypsin-like enzymes within the cell bind covalently to the fluorophore (FAM) labeled FLISP inhibitor probe, retaining the green fluorescent signal within the cell. The higher the concentration of active chymotrypsin-like enzymes within the cell, the higher the level of fluorescence observed.

Available in FAM, which fluoresces at 525 nm (green), FLISP Kits also contain propidium iodide for dead cell identification by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 for nuclear labeling in fluorescence microscopy.

Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MitoPT) Kits

Fig. 4. Jurkat cells stained with MitoPT JC-1 (ICT943 ICT944) and viewed through a fluorescence microscope. Non-apoptotic cells exhibit red stained mitochondria (2 left hand cells). Apoptotic cells at varying stages of mitochondrial membrane permeability appear green (3 right hand cells).

The JC-1, TMRE and TMRM MitoPT Kits allow clear differentiation between non-apoptotic and apoptotic cells through the simple and reproducible detection of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition event.

• Range includes MitoPT JC-1, TMRE & TMRM Kits
• Quick and easy staining method clearly differentiates non-apoptotic and apoptotic cells
• MitoPT TMRE & TMRM Kits - ideal for single cell multi-parametric analyses
• Suitable for flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, or a plate reader

An early indication of apoptosis involves a collapse in the electrochemical gradient across the mitochondrial membrane.

This is mediated by the opening of permeability transition (PT) pores and is known as the mitochondrial PT event. It is measured by the change in the mitochondrial membrane potential.

Cathepsin Kits

Bio-Rad’s Green and Magic Red Kits for analysis of active cathepsins in whole, live cells, utilize a substrate based assay. These kits enable the detection of active cathepsins contained in lysosomes, which are involved in the autophagy pathway and phagocytosis. When released into the cytoplasm, they can regulate both the apoptosis extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

• Quick and easy methods
• Analyze whole, live suspension and adherent cells
• Assay based on fluorescent substrates
• Suitable for flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, or a plate reader

The cathepsin family is comprised of several proteolytic enzymes stored in cellular organelles called lysosomes. A key cellular pathway involving lysosomes is autophagy, the process of cellular self-digestion, where cathepsins hydrolyze and degrade cytoplasmic proteins, bulk cytoplasm, and dysfunctional organelles for recycling.

pSIVA Real-Time Apoptosis Kits

Fig. 6. HeLa cells were incubated A) in the presence or B) in the absence of staurosporine to induce apoptosis. pSIVA-IANBD and PI were added to the media and the cells imaged with the ZOE Fluorescent Cell Imager. Early apoptotic cells are pSIVA-IANBD positive, shown in green, while late apoptotic cells are PI positive, shown in red.

Visualize apoptosis events in real time with our pSIVA Real-Time Apoptosis Fluorescent Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Kits. pSIVA only fluoresces when bound to phosphatidylserine (PS), which becomes exposed at the outer plasma membrane as one of the early events of apoptosis.

The pSIVA probe is conjugated to IANBD, a green emitting dye with spectral properties similar to FITC. No washing steps are required; simply add the probe to your cells and start visualizing apoptosis in real time.

The pSIVA Real-Time Apoptosis Fluorescent Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Kits also contain the viability dye propidium iodide, allowing you to distinguish early apoptotic from late apoptotic and necrotic cells.

Fig. 7. Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates probed with Bcl-2 antibody followed by detection with HRP conjugated Goat Anti-Mouse IgG (1/10,000, STAR207P) and visualized on the ChemiDoc MP Imaging system with 67 sec exposure. Arrow points to Bcl-2 (molecular weight 26 kDa).

Apoptosis Antibodies

Our range also includes antibodies to detect and measure markers of apoptosis.

Markers of apoptosis include the presence of annexin V on the cell surface, intracellular caspases and cytochrome c, death receptors and anti-apoptotic markers of the Bcl-2 family.

• Annexin V
• Caspase
• Cytochrome C
• Bcl-2
• CD95
• CD178
• Granzyme B