title: Multiparametric staining to identify apoptotic human cells.
abstract: To analyze relevant features of HeLa and HL60 cells driven into apoptosis by etoposide, we have developed a new "tricolor" assay, based on the simultaneous analysis in the single cell of chromatin condensation, DNA degradation, and cellular poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. The latter reaction is catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (E.C. 2.4.2.30), an enzyme which is activated by the presence of DNA free ends. The protocol consists in the visualization of apoptotic cells by Hoechst staining, TUNEL assay, and immunoreaction with anti-poly(ADP-ribose) antibody. We thus provide the first evidence that endogenous poly(ADP-ribose) production is indeed stimulated in cells undergoing apoptosis after treatment with antitumoral drugs, and that the monitoring of this endogenous enzymatic reaction, combined with morphological and other biochemical parameters, should facilitate the detection of apoptotic cells.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Genetica Biochimica ed Evoluzionistica C.N.R., Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donzelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bürkle
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Scovassi
mesh_terms: D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001710:Biotin; D006690:Bisbenzimidazole; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D018922:HL-60 Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D014500:Uracil Nucleotides
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002843:Chromatin; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers; D014500:Uracil Nucleotides; D000246:Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; D005047:Etoposide; D001710:Biotin; D006690:Bisbenzimidazole