Disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential is one of the earliest intracellular events that occur following induction of apoptosis. The MitoCapture^TM Apoptosis Detection Kit provides a simple, fluorescent-based method for distinguishing between healthy and apoptotic cells by detecting the changes in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The kit utilizes MitoCapture^TM, a cationic dye that fluoresces differently in healthy vs apoptotic cells. In healthy cells, MitoCapture accumulates and aggregates in the mitocondria, giving off a bright red fluorescence. In apoptotic cells, MitoCapture cannot aggregate in the mitochondria due to the altered mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and thus it remains in the cytoplasm in its monomer form, fluorescing green. The fluorescent signals can be easily detected by fluorescence microscopy or analyzed by flow cytometry.

Detection of Change in Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential by MitoCapture and Fluorescence Microscopy. The photograph shows examples of cells scored for intact and apoptotic cells using MitoCapture probe. The apoptotic cell (left panel) shows diffused green fluorescence, whereas the normal control cell (right panel) shows punctate red fluorescence. Ref. J. Biol. Chem. 276:35891-35899, 2001.

Cat#K250-25

Cat#K250-25

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