Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit *Deep Red Fluorescence*
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Additional ordering information
Telephone | 1-800-990-8053 |
Fax | 1-800-609-2943 |
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International | See distributors |
Bulk request | Inquire |
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Shipping | Standard overnight for United States, inquire for international |
Spectral properties
Correction Factor (280 nm) | 0.027 |
Extinction coefficient (cm -1 M -1) | 250000 |
Excitation (nm) | 649 |
Emission (nm) | 664 |
Storage, safety and handling
H-phrase | H303, H313, H333 |
Hazard symbol | XN |
Intended use | Research Use Only (RUO) |
R-phrase | R20, R21, R22 |
UNSPSC | 12171501 |
Alternative formats
Related products
Overview | ![]() ![]() |
See also: DNA Fragmentation, TUNEL Assays
Correction Factor (280 nm) 0.027 | Extinction coefficient (cm -1 M -1) 250000 | Excitation (nm) 649 | Emission (nm) 664 |
Cell Meter™ TUNEL apoptosis assay kit provides a robust tool for conveniently detecting apoptosis caused by DNA fragmentation. The assay is non-radioactive and rapid. The TUNEL assay uses the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) to catalyze the incorporation of TF5-dUTP at the free 3’-hydroxyl ends of the fragmented DNAs. The resulted TF5-labeled DNAs are analyzed by fluorescence microscopy (Cy5 filter set) or flow cytometry with 633 or 640 nm laser with 660/20 nm filter (APC channel). Its red emission can be conveniently multiplexed with GFP labelled targets. Direct incorporation of fluorescent TF5-labeled nucleotides significantly reduces the number of test steps. The kit is optimized to detect apoptosis in fixed cells and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
Platform
Flow cytometer
Excitation | 633/640 nm laser |
Emission | 660/20 nm filter |
Instrument specification(s) | APC channel |
Fluorescence microscope
Excitation | Cy5 filter set |
Emission | Cy5 filter set |
Recommended plate | Black wall/clear bottom |
Components
Example protocol
AT A GLANCE
Protocol summary
- Treat samples as desired
- Fix cells with 4% formaldehyde solution for 30 minutes on ice
- Permeabilize cells with 70% ice-cold ethanol for 60 minutes on ice
- Add TdT staining solution to samples and incubate for 60 minutes at 37 °C
- Monitor the fluorescence intensity using fluorescence microscopy with Cy5 filter set
Important
Bring all the kit components at room temperature before starting the experiment.PREPARATION OF WORKING SOLUTION
TdT staining solution
For one test, Mix the following to make a total volume of 51 µL;45 µL TdT Reaction Buffer (Component D)
5 µL CoCl2 (Component C)
0.5 µL TF5-dUTP (Component B)
0.5 µL TdT enzyme (Component A).
Note TdT staining solution should be used promptly.
SAMPLE EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL
Protocol for cells staining
The following protocol can be used as a guideline and should be optimized according to the needs.- Treat your samples as desired.
- Wash the samples with buffer of your choice such as PBS containing Ca+2 and Mg+2.
- Fix the samples by adding 100 µL of 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS and incubate the samples for 30 minutes on ice.
- Remove fixation solution and wash samples with PBS.
- Add 100 µL of 70% of ice cold ethanol to samples and incubate the samples for 60 minutes on ice.
Note Samples can be stored at -20 °C at this step for several days before use. - Remove alcohol and wash cells with PBS.
Note For a positive control, incubate fixed samples with 2-5 µg/mL of DNAse in PBS containing Ca+2 and Mg+2 for 60 minutes at 37 °C. Remove the DNAse and wash cells thoroughly and continue with the rest of the protocol - Add 50 µL of TdT staining solution to the samples and incubate for 60 to 120 minutes at 37 °C.
- Remove TdT working solution and wash samples with PBS.
- Resuspend the samples in PBS and monitor the fluorescence intensity with flow cytometer using 660/20 nm filter (APC channel) or fluorescence microscope with Cy5 filter set.
Protocol for tissue staining
The following protocol can be used as a guideline and should be optimized according to the needs.Deparaffinization and rehydration protocol
- Deparaffinize tissue sections (attached to the microscopic slides) by immersing slides in fresh xylene in a Coplin jar for 5 minutes at room temperature. Repeat one more time. (Total 2 washes)
- Wash the samples by immersing the slides in 100% ethanol for 5 minutes at room temperature in a Coplin jar.
- Rehydrate the samples by immersing the slides through various concentrations of alcohol subsequently (100, 95, 85, 70, 50%) for 5 minutes each at room temperature
- Wash the samples by immersing the slides in 0.85% NaCl for 5 minutes at room temperature.
- Wash the samples by immersing the slides in PBS for 5 minutes at room temperature. Repeat one more wash. (Total 2 washes)
- Fix the tissue sections by immersing slides in 4% paraformaldehyde solution in PBS for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Wash the samples by immersing the slides in PBS for 5 minutes at room temperature. Repeat one more wash. (Total 2 washes)
- Remove the liquid and place the slides on a flat surface. Treat tissue sections with 100 µL of 20 µg/mL Proteinase K solution. Add enough to cover the entire tissue surface. Incubate slides for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Wash the samples by immersing the slides in PBS for 5 minutes at room temperature.
- Fix the tissue sections by immersing slides in 4% paraformaldehyde solution in PBS for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
- Wash the samples by immersing the slides in PBS for 5 minutes at room temperature. Repeat one more wash. (Total 2 washes)
- Optional: For a positive control, incubate fixed samples with 2-5 µg/mL of DNAse in PBS containing Ca+2 and Mg+2 for 60 minutes at 37 °C. Remove the DNAse and wash cells thoroughly with PBS and continue with the rest of the protocol.
- Add 50 µL of TdT staining solution to the samples and incubate for 60 to 120 minutes at 37 °C.
- Remove TdT working solution and wash samples with PBS.
- Add mounting medium with DAPI (AAT Bioquest Cat# 20005) and monitor the fluorescence intensity fluorescence microscope with Cy5 filter set.
Spectrum
Open in Advanced Spectrum Viewer


Spectral properties
Correction Factor (280 nm) | 0.027 |
Extinction coefficient (cm -1 M -1) | 250000 |
Excitation (nm) | 649 |
Emission (nm) | 664 |
Product Family
Name | Excitation (nm) | Emission (nm) | Extinction coefficient (cm -1 M -1) | Correction Factor (260 nm) | Correction Factor (280 nm) |
Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit *Blue Fluorescence* | 411 | 472 | - | 0.14 | 0.12 |
Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit *Green Fluorescence* | 498 | 517 | 800001 | 0.32 | 0.35 |
Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit *Red Fluorescence* | 544 | 570 | 100000 | 0.27 | 0.34 |
Images

Figure 1. Fluorescence images of TUNEL assay with HeLa cells.
HeLa cells were fixed and treated with or without DNAse for 60 mins at 37 °C. The cells were then stained with Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit (Cat#22855). DNA strand breaks showed intense fluorescent staining in DNAse treated cells. The signal was acquired with fluorescence microscope using a Cy5 filter set.
HeLa cells were fixed and treated with or without DNAse for 60 mins at 37 °C. The cells were then stained with Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit (Cat#22855). DNA strand breaks showed intense fluorescent staining in DNAse treated cells. The signal was acquired with fluorescence microscope using a Cy5 filter set.

Figure 2. TUNEL assay of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human lung adenocarcinoma sections with Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit (Cat#22855). DNA strand breaks showed intense fluorescent staining in DNAse treated tissue section. Cell nucleus was stained with Nuclear Blue™ DCS1 (Cat#17548).
Citations
View all 5 citations: Citation Explorer
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Journal: REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS (2023): 192--192
Effects of boric acid on invasion, migration, proliferation, apoptosis and miRNAs in medullary thyroid cancer cells
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Authors: Y{\i}ld{\i}r{\i}m, Onurcan and Se{\c{c}}me, M{\"u}cahit and Dodurga, Yavuz and Mete, G{\"u}l{\c{c}}in Abban and Fenkci, Semin Melahat
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Journal: Nature communications (2022): 1--23
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Protection of propofol on liver ischemia reperfusion injury by regulating Cyp2b10/Cyp3a25 pathway
Authors: Wu, Jinli and Yu, Chao and Zeng, Xianggang and Xu, Yini and Sun, Chengyi
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Exosomes Derived from M2 Macrophages Exert a Therapeutic Effect via Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Rats with Knee Osteoarthritic
Authors: Da-Wa, Zha Xi and Jun, Ma and Chao-Zheng, Liu and Sen-Lin, Yang and Chuan, Lu and De-Chun, Li and Zu-Nan, Dong and Hong-Tao, Zhao and Shu-Qing, Wei and Xian-Wei, Pei and others,
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Journal: BioMed Research International (2021)
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Application notes
FAQ
Are inflammasomes and caspase-1 related?
Do you offer any fluorimetric assays that measure caspase activation/activity in live cells using a flow cytometer?
Does pH and staining temperature affect Annexin V-Phosphatidylserine binding?
Does propidium iodide stain apoptotic cells?
How can I tell if my cell sample is dying?
Do you offer any fluorimetric assays that measure caspase activation/activity in live cells using a flow cytometer?
Does pH and staining temperature affect Annexin V-Phosphatidylserine binding?
Does propidium iodide stain apoptotic cells?
How can I tell if my cell sample is dying?