Annexin V-FineTest®488/PI Apoptosis Kit

Annexin V-FineTest®488/PI apoptosis detection kit can be used to detect apoptosis in suspension cells and adherent cells. Annexin V is a calcium-dependent phosphatidylserine binding protein with a high affinity for phosphatidylserine PS. Annexin V labelled FineTest®488 can bind to the membrane of early apoptotic cells by means of the PS exposed outside the cells. Apoptosis can be detected by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy. Propidium Iodide (PI) binds specifically to double-stranded DNA and produces strong fluorescence, which is normally unable to penetrate cell membranes. Due to late apoptotic or necrotic cell membrane loss of integrity, PI can enter cells to stain DNA and, when used in combination with Annexin V, distinguish cells at different stages of apoptosis. The following figure shows the apoptosis effect of Jurkat cells induced by camptothecin detected by this kit. Jurkat cells were treated with 5μM Camptothecin (left) or untreated (right) for 4 h. After staining with this kit, fluorescence detection was performed by flow cytometry. Annexin V-FineTest®488 monopositive cells are early apoptotic cells, Annexin V-FineTest®488 and PI double positive cells are necrotic or late apoptotic cells, and PI monopositive cells are nude cells.