The pros and cons of apoptosis assays for use in the study of cells, tissues, and organs.
Programmed cell death or apoptosis occurs in many tissues during normal development and in the normal homeostasis of adult tissues. Apoptosis also plays a significant role in abnormal development and disease. Increased interest in apoptosis and cell death in general has resulted in the development of new techniques and the revival of old ones. Each assay has its advantages and disadvantages that can render it appropriate and useful for one application, but inappropriate or difficult to use in another. Understanding the strengths and limitations of the assays would allow investigators to select the best methods for their needs.
Watanabe
Michiko
M
Department of Pediatrics (UHC), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. mxw13@po.cwru.edu
Hitomi
Midori
M
van der Wee
Kathy
K
Rothenberg
Florence
F
Fisher
Steven A
SA
Zucker
Robert
R
Svoboda
Kathy K H
KK
Goldsmith
Edie C
EC
Heiskanen
Kaisa M
KM
Nieminen
Anna-Liisa
AL
D000818:Animals; D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D017304:Annexin A5; D004396:Coloring Agents; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases