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. |
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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.
Figure 1. Detection of apoptosis with the iClick™ TUNEL Imaging Assay. Features:
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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).
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