Apoptosis is a normal physiological process that occurs during embryonic development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis and is accompanied by many morphological changes, among which the loss of cell membrane is one of the early characteristics of apoptosis. In normal cells, phosphatidylserine (PS) is only distributed on the inner side of the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. However, in the early stage of apoptosis, PS will flip from the inner side of the lipid membrane to the outer side, exposing it to the outside of the cell. Annexin V is a Ca2+-dependent phospholipid-binding protein with high affinity for PS and it can specifically bind to cells exposed to PS. Therefore, Annexin V is used as one of the indicators to detect early apoptosis of cells. Propidium iodide (PI) is a nucleic acid dye that cannot penetrate normal cells with intact cell membranes and early apoptotic cells, but it can penetrate the cell membranes of late apoptotic and necrotic cells and stain cell nuclei.

This product uses a fusion protein composed of FITC and Annexin V as a detection probe to detect early apoptosis of cells. The PI is also used to distinguish surviving cells from necrotic and late apoptotic cells. In combination with Annexin V-FITC and PI, live cells show negative staining (Annexin V-/PI-), early apoptotic cells show single fluorescence positive (Annexin V+/PI-), while late apoptotic and necrotic cells show double fluorescence positive (Annexin V+/PI+). This kit is suitable for flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy detection.

Storage and Shipping Conditions

Ship with wet ice; Store at 2-8℃ away from light, valid for 12 months.