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How to measure cell proliferation?
Posted December 10, 2019
Cell proliferation can be determined by measuring such parameters as newly synthesized DNA, total nucleic acid content or cell division (Table 1).
The simplest method would be to monitor cell division using amine-reactive cell tracking indicators, such as CytoTell™ dyes. These cell-permeable indicators covalently bind to cytoplasmic proteins. Due to this covalent coupling reaction, CytoTell™ dyes cannot be transferred to adjacent cells and are well-retained in cells for several generations (up to 9 generation can be visualized). As cells divide, CytoTell™ dyes are distributed equally between daughters cells, and each new generation of cells is marked by a fluorescence intensity half that of its parents. Cells labeled with CytoTell™ dyes may be fixed and permeabilized using standard formaldehyde-containing fixatives and saponin-based permeabilization buffers for further intracellular analysis.
Table 1. List of Reagents and Assays for Monitoring Cell Proliferation.
| Parameter | Principle | Reagent/Assay | Instrument |
|
Monitor Cell Division |
Uses cell-permeable dyes that bind to cytoplasmic proteins. As cells divide, dye is transferred to daughter cells. Each new generation of cells is marked by fluorescence intensity half its parents. |
Fluorescence microplate reader, fluorescence microscope or flow cytometer | |
|
Monitor Newly Synthesized DNA |
Incorporates modified nucleotides into newly synthesized DNA during the S-phase of the cell cycle. Once incorporated, these nucleoside analogs serve as cell cycle and proliferation markers that can be detected using labeled probes to identify cells that are actively proliferating. |
Bucculite™ dT Incorporation Cell Proliferation Fluorescence Imaging Kits |
Fluorescence microscope |
|
BrdU (requires an enzyme or fluorophore labeled anti-BrdU antibody) |
Can be adapted for colorimetric, fluorimetric or chemiluminescent instruments. | ||
|
Monitor Total Nucleic Acid Content |
Uses cell-permeable nucleic acid stains that exhibit emission signals proportional to DNA mass. Flow cytometric analysis of stained populations is then used to generate a DNA histogram to reveal the percentage of cells in each phase of the cell cycle. |
Flow cytometer | |
ReadiUse™ CFSE [5-(and 6)-Carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester] *CAS 150347-59-4*
Bucculite™ dT Incorporation Cell Proliferation Fluorescence Imaging Kits
BrdU [5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine] *CAS 59-14-3*
Cell Meter™ Fluorimetric Live Cell Cycle Assays
Cell Meter™ Fluorimetric Fixed Cell Cycle Assays
Hoechst 33258 *20 mM solution in water*
Hoechst 33342 *20 mM solution in water*
DAPI [4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride] *10 mM solution in water*