TUNEL assay is the cell death detection method where the biochemical marker of apoptosis is DNA fragmentation. The assay involves the microscopical detection of generated DNA fragments with free 3'-hydroxyl residues. in apoptotic cells using enzyme terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) which adds biotinylated nucleotides at the site of DNA breaks. Major challenges of this method involve proper access of the enzyme which could be hampered by poor permeabilization and/or excessive fixation with cross-linking fixative (common with archival tissue). This issue can be resolved by optimizing the incubation time with Proteinase K or CytoninTM.
As autophagy is a multi-step process which includes not just the formation of autophagosomes, but most importantly, flux through the entire system, including the degradation upon fusion with lysosomes, which makes it quite challenging for detection. There are several methods for detection in mammalian cells, including immunoblotting analysis of LC3 and p62 and detection of autophagosome formation/maturation by fluorescence microscopy, Currently, there is no single “gold standard” for determining the autophagic activity that is applicable in every experimental context, hence it is recommended to go for the combined use of multiple methods to accurately assess the autophagic activity in any given biological setting.
Get tips on using Zombie Violet™ Fixable Viability Kit to perform Live / Dead assay mammalian cells - mouse microglia
Get tips on using Zombie UV™ Fixable Viability Kit to perform Live / Dead assay mammalian cells - mouse splenocytes
Get tips on using Zombie Fixable Viability™ Sampler Kit to perform Live / Dead assay mammalian cells - HEK 293
Get tips on using Zombie Aqua™ Fixable Viability Kit to perform Live / Dead assay mammalian cells - human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Acid phosphatase detection heavily relies on determining the concentration of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the sample. Hence, sample preparation is very crucial and it should be done strictly as per kit manufacturer instructions to avoid any inconsistency and poor sensitivity.
Isolating DNA from tissues and paraffin-embedded tissue samples can be challenging as double-stranded DNA is physically fragile and highly susceptible to exo- and endonucleases. The best solution is to slice the tissues into smaller pieces and make a homogenate solution (using tissue homogenizer or grinding liquid nitrogen frozen samples) in the presence of DNAse inhibitors. Further, extracting DNA from the nucleus need specific methods by combining physical, mechanical and chemical lysis approaches,
Get tips on using Total RNA Purification Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Tissue - mouse liver tissue
Get tips on using RNeasy Plus Micro Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Tissue - human liver tissue
Fill out your contact details and receive price quotes in your Inbox
Outsource experiment