Collection: Cell Signaling & Apoptosis

Early apoptosis. When a cell commits to apoptosis, phosphatidylserine flips from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, and fluorophore-conjugated annexin V binds it there. Takara Bio's ApoAlert Annexin V-FITC kit uses this to flag apoptotic cells by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy before membrane integrity is lost.

Co-stain annexin V with a membrane-impermeant DNA dye such as propidium iodide. Early apoptotic cells are annexin V-positive but exclude the dye; necrotic and late-apoptotic cells stain with both because their membrane is compromised. Morphology and caspase activity provide confirming evidence.

Annexin V catches the earliest committed stage and works on live cells; caspase-activity assays confirm the execution machinery is engaged; TUNEL labels DNA fragmentation late in the process. Many studies combine two readouts, since any single one can miss atypical death pathways.

This growing category at Danyel Biotech carries Takara Bio apoptosis tools with local delivery, and our specialists can source additional signaling assays from the lines we represent — send us the target and readout you need for a quote.