Apoptosis Biomarkers
Apoptosis Biomarkers - Related Videos
07:42
Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
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Cited by 15 •
2011
In this protocol, we describe the direct cytoplasmic microinjection of cytochrome c protein into fibroblasts and primary sympathetic neurons. This technique allows for the introduction of cytochrome c protein into the cytoplasm of cells and mimics the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which occurs during apoptosis.
01:30
Apoptosis
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2023
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
08:29
Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD
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Cited by 29 •
2012
We describe a rat model of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that reveals the persistent alterations in neuroendocrine function and the delayed long-term, exaggerated fear response, characteristic of PTSD patients. The animal model and methods described here are useful for correlating biomarkers in brain nuclei, which are mechanistic but cannot be measured in patients, with biomarkers in peripheral white blood cells, which can.
06:58
Synthesis of an In vivo MRI-detectable Apoptosis Probe
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Cited by 3 •
2012
Early detection of apoptosis may identify at-risk cell populations in a variety of diseases. Here we demonstrate a method to link an early apoptosis-detection protein (Annexin V) to a MRI-detectable iron oxide nanoparticle (SPIO). This method may be extended to other proteins of interest to generate MRI-detectable molecular imaging probes.
08:27
Use of a Caspase Multiplexing Assay to Determine Apoptosis in a Hypothalamic Cell Model
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Cited by 20 •
2014
Multiplex assays can provide beneficial information for basic cellular mechanisms and eliminate waste of reagents and unnecessary repetitive experiments. We describe here a multiplex caspase-3/7 activity assay, using fluorescent- and luminescent-based methods, to determine cell viability in an in vitro hypothalamic model following oxidative challenge with palmitic acid.
FAQs
Initiator and executioner caspases provide molecular evidence that apoptotic signaling is progressing through distinct functional stages. Measuring caspase activity can show whether a treatment activates the programmed cell-death machinery and whether downstream execution is occurring. In cancer research, this distinction helps evaluate drug response beyond simply recording whether the number of surviving cells changes.
Annexin V staining detects the movement of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer surface of the plasma membrane. This membrane change provides a cellular readout of apoptosis and can be used to identify cancer cells undergoing controlled elimination after treatment. Its value lies in linking a measurable surface alteration to the cell-death response.
Mitochondrial signaling and DNA fragmentation report different cellular consequences of apoptosis. Release of cytochrome c reflects a mitochondrial event, whereas fragmented chromosomal DNA indicates nuclear damage associated with the process. Examining these signals alongside caspase activity or phosphatidylserine exposure can provide a broader assessment of whether cancer cells are responding through coordinated apoptotic changes.
Assay selection should match the biological change being investigated. Annexin V staining measures phosphatidylserine exposure, caspase assays measure activation of apoptotic enzymes, and DNA-fragmentation analysis examines chromosomal breakdown. Using one or more of these approaches allows researchers to assess cellular, biochemical, and molecular evidence of treatment-induced apoptosis rather than relying on a single indicator.
Researchers apply these biomarkers to determine whether candidate treatments cause cancer cells to undergo controlled elimination. Measurements of caspase activity, phosphatidylserine exposure, cytochrome c release, or DNA fragmentation can support drug-response testing and disease characterization. The resulting evidence helps compare treatments and assess whether a compound produces the intended apoptotic response.
Biomarker results can reveal whether cancer cells activate apoptotic pathways after treatment or remain resistant to cell death. Comparing signals such as caspase activity, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and DNA fragmentation helps researchers evaluate treatment effects and investigate resistance mechanisms. These findings support optimization of targeted therapies and the development of combination strategies designed to improve responses.