Cells frequently respond to environmental changes or insults by undergoing apoptosis. Apoptosis is an essential component of the organism's repertoire of cellular responses, whether it is triggered by a genetic program for development or induced by an external factor. Researchers performing cell-based assays in a high-throughput screening (HTS) capacity are frequently interested in the apoptotic response. In cell-based assays for cancer drugs, apoptosis may be the desired response; conversely, in screens designed for therapeutic reagents for various degenerative diseases, the ability to inhibit apoptosis may be desired. Most assays for apoptosis are not readily adapted to HTS, however. Promega has recently developed a useful marker for apoptosis that can be added directly to cells in culture. The simple add, wash and analyze format makes this apoptosis marker easily adaptable for use in high-throughput screening systems.
Promega Notes 75, 20–23.
Matt Sylte1, Martha O'Brien2, Thomas J. Inzana3, and Chuck Czuprynski1
1Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wi.; 2Promega Corporation; 3Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA