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TUNEL assays

Introduction

The later stages of apoptosis are characterized by changes in nuclear morphology, including DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, degradation of nuclear envelope, nuclear blebbing, and DNA strand breaks. DNA fragmentation that occurs during apoptosis produces DNA strand breaks, which can be analyzed using TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling) assays. TUNEL assays can be used to study cultured cells and tissue sections, including FFPE-treated samples.

In the TUNEL assay, TdT enzyme catalyzes the addition of modified dUTP to the 3’-OH ends of fragmented DNA. The modifications are fluorophores or haptens, including biotin or bromine which can be detected directly in the case of a fluorescently-modified nucleotide, or indirectly with streptavidin or antibodies, if biotin-dUTP or BrdUTP are used, respectively.
The iClick™ TUNEL Imaging Assays utilize a dUTP modified with an alkyne, a small, bio-orthogonal functional group that enables the nucleotide to be more readily incorporated by TdT than other modified nucleotides such as biotin-dUTP and fluorescein-dUTP. Detection is based on a click reaction, a copper (I) catalyzed reaction between an azide and alkyne (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Detection of apoptosis with the iClick™ TUNEL Imaging Assay.

Features:

  • Broad application: Suitable for FFPE tissue, frozen tissue and cells.
  • High sensitivity: Can detect a higher percentage of apoptotic cells.
  • Multicolor: Many fluorophores to choose.


Table 1. Selection Guide for TUNEL Assay Kit

Cat. No. Product Name Ex/Em (nm) Unit
A049 TUNEL Chromogenic Apoptosis Detection Kit 50 assays
A050 TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 488 Apoptosis Detection Kit 495/520 50 assays
A051 TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 594 Apoptosis Detection Kit 590/615 50 assays
A052 TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 647 Apoptosis Detection Kit 650/665 50 assays
A060 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 488 Imaging Assay 495/520 50 assays
A061 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 555 Imaging Assay 555/575 50 assays
A062 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 594 Imaging Assay 590/615 50 assays
A063 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 647 Imaging Assay 650/665 50 assays
 


Figure 2. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-mediated detection of apoptotic cells in mouse tongue tissue. The imaging results using TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 488 Apoptosis Detection Kit (left), and TUNEL Chromogenic Apoptosis Detection Kit (right).

To Order

Buy Cat. No. Product Name Ex/Em (nm) Unit Size Price
A049 TUNEL Chromogenic Apoptosis Detection Kit 50 assays $420
A050 TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 488 Apoptosis Detection Kit 495/520 50 assays $420
A051 TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 594 Apoptosis Detection Kit 590/615 50 assays $420
A052 TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 647 Apoptosis Detection Kit 650/665 50 assays $420
A060 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 488 Imaging Assay 495/520 50 assays $420
A061 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 555 Imaging Assay 555/575 50 assays $420
A062 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 594 Imaging Assay 590/615 50 assays $420
A063 iClick™ TUNEL Andy Fluor™ 647 Imaging Assay 650/665 50 assays $420