Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

S7110

Sigma-Aldrich

ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit

The ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit detects apoptotic cells in situ by the indirect TUNEL method, utilizing an anti-digoxigenin antibody that is conjugated to a Fluorescein reporter molecule.

Synonym(s):

Apoptosis detection kit

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

UNSPSC Code:
12161503
eCl@ss:
32161000
NACRES:
NA.84

Quality Level

manufacturer/tradename

ApopTag
Chemicon®

technique(s)

flow cytometry: suitable
immunocytochemistry: suitable
immunohistochemistry (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections): suitable

detection method

fluorometric

shipped in

dry ice

General description

The ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit detects apoptotic cells in situ by the indirect TUNEL method, utilizing an anti-digoxigenin antibody that is conjugated to a Fluorescein reporter molecule. It provides indirect immunofluorescence staining for 40 samples. Results are analyzed using either flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy.

The ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit has been tested for specific staining in these model systems: (a) human normal peripheral blood lymphocytes induced with dexamethasone as stained in cytospins, (b) rat regressing mammary gland as stained in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections, and (c) human leukemic peripheral blood lymphocytes induced with camptothecin, as stained in cell suspensions and used for quantitative flow cytometry.

Application

INTRODUCTION

ApopTag In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kits label apoptotic cells in research samples by modifying genomic DNA utilizing terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) for detection of positive cells by specific staining. This manual contains information and protocols for the ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit (Catalog number S7110).

Principles of the Procedure

The reagents provided in all ApopTag Kits are designed to label the free 3′OH DNA termini in situ with chemically labeled and unlabeled nucleotides. The nucleotides contained in the Reaction Buffer are enzymatically added to the DNA by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) (13, 31). TdT catalyzes a template-independent addition of nucleotide triphosphates to the 3′-OH ends of double-stranded or single-stranded DNA. The incorporated nucleotides form an oligomer composed of digoxigenin nucleotide and unlabeled nucleotide in a random sequence. The ratio of labeled to unlabeled nucleotide in ApopTag Kits is optimized to promote anti-digoxigenin antibody binding, or to minimize fluorescein self-quenching. The exact length of the oligomer added has not been measured.

DNA fragments which have been labeled with the digoxigenin-nucleotide are then allowed to bind an anti-digoxigenin antibody that is conjugated to fluorescein (Figure 1A). Fluorescent antibodies provide sensitive detection in immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry (i.e. on tissue or cells) and are not subject to experimental variations due to the substrate or the development step. This mixed molecular biological-histochemical systems allows for sensitive and specific staining of very high concentrations of 3′-OH ends that are localized in apoptotic bodies.The ApopTag system differs significantly from previously described in situ labeling techniques for apoptosis (13, 16, 38, 46), in which avidin binding to cellular biotin can be a source of error. The digoxigenin/anti-digoxigenin system has been found to be equally sensitive to avidin/biotin systems (22). Immunochemically-similar ligands for binding of the anti-digoxigenin antibody are generally insignificant in animal tissues, ensuring low background staining. Affinity purified sheep polyclonal antibody is the specific anti-digoxigenin reagent used in ApopTag Kits and exhibits <1% cross-reactivity with the major vertebrate steroids. In addition, the Fc portion of this antibody has been removed by proteolytic digestion to eliminate any non-specific adsorption to cellular Fc receptors.
The ApopTag Fluorescein In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit detects apoptotic cells in situ by the indirect TUNEL method, utilizing an anti-digoxigenin antibody that is conjugated to a Fluorescein reporter molecule.

Components

Equilibration Buffer 90416 3.0 mL -15°C to -25°C

Reaction Buffer 90417 2.0 mL -15°C to -25°C

TdT Enzyme 90418 0.64 mL -15°C to -25°C

Stop/Wash Buffer 90419 20 mL -15°C to -25°C

Blocking Solution 90425 2.6 mL -15°C to -25°C

Anti-Digoxigenin-Fluorescein* 90426 2.1 mL 2°C to 8°C

Plastic Coverslips 90421 100 ea. Room Temp.

*affinity purified sheep polyclonal antibody

Storage and Stability

1. Store the kit at -15°C to -25°C until the first use. After the first use, if the kit will be used within three months, store the TdT Enzyme (#90418) at -15°C to -25°C and store the remaining components at 2°C to 8°C.

2. Protect the anti-digoxigenin fluorescein antibody (#90426) from unnecessary exposure to light.

Precautions

1. The following kit components contain potassium cacodylate (dimethylarsinic acid) as a buffer: Equilibration Buffer (#90416), Reaction Buffer (#90417), and TdT Enzyme (#90418). These components are harmful if swallowed; avoid contact with skin and eyes (wear gloves, glasses) and wash areas of contact immediately.

2. Antibody Conjugates (#90426) and Blocking Solutions (#90425) contain 0.08% sodium azide as a preservative.

3. TdT Enzyme (#90418) contains glycerol and will not freeze at -20°C. For maximum shelf life, do not warm this reagent to room temperature before dispensing.

Legal Information

CHEMICON is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Disclaimer

Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.

Pictograms

Health hazardEnvironment

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Aquatic Chronic 2 - Carc. 1B - STOT RE 2 Inhalation

Target Organs

Respiratory Tract

Storage Class Code

6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects


Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Caroline Morin et al.
Experimental lung research, 31(7), 719-744 (2005-10-06)
Respiratory pathology research is limited by the number of appropriate multicellular models suitable for studying mechanical properties and signaling pathways that are involved in airway responsiveness. In this study, the electrophysiological and pharmacomechanical properties of organ-cultured explants derived from normal
Yuki Morizane et al.
American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, 290(3), R819-R825 (2005-10-15)
In the course of mammalian lens development, a transient capillary meshwork known as the pupillary membrane (PM) forms, which is located at the pupil area; the PM nourishes the anterior surface of the lens and then regresses to make the
Toru Nakazawa et al.
Molecular vision, 12, 867-878 (2006-08-19)
Photoreceptor apoptosis is associated with retinal detachment (RD) induced photoreceptor degeneration. Previously, we demonstrated the importance of caspase activation for RD-induced photoreceptor death in a rat model of RD. However, extracellular signals that precede the activation of caspases and photoreceptor
Mary Truscott et al.
The Journal of biological chemistry, 282(41), 30216-30226 (2007-08-08)
Proteolytic processing at the end of the G(1) phase generates a CUX1 isoform, p110, which functions either as a transcriptional activator or repressor and can accelerate entry into S phase. Here we describe a second proteolytic event that generates an
Louis Tong et al.
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 47(10), 4295-4301 (2006-09-28)
Ultraviolet light (UVB) is known to cause apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells. This study evaluates the role of transglutaminase in regulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor clustering as well as caspase activation in UVB-induced apoptosis in human corneal epithelial

Articles

Cellular apoptosis assays to detect programmed cell death using Annexin V, Caspase and TUNEL DNA fragmentation assays.

Cellular apoptosis assays to detect programmed cell death using Annexin V, Caspase and TUNEL DNA fragmentation assays.

Cellular apoptosis assays to detect programmed cell death using Annexin V, Caspase and TUNEL DNA fragmentation assays.

Cellular apoptosis assays to detect programmed cell death using Annexin V, Caspase and TUNEL DNA fragmentation assays.

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service