Abstract
Apoptosis is a distinct form of cell death. Originally defined by cellular morphology, apoptosis can now be characterized at molecular, biochemical, and cellular levels. Detection of apoptosis has become more important, not only because of scientific interests but also because of the significance in clinical practice. For example, because apoptosis has been implicated in the development of a variety of devastating diseases such as cancer, a therapeutic approach using apoptosis-inducing drugs is expected. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, one may have to assess the apoptotic response following the treatment. In typical apoptosis, a set of cell structure and biochemical characteristics has been well-defined. In combination, these provide the basis for apoptosis detection in a given setting. The methodology for analyzing these characteristics is as diverse as the research subjects. Several books devoted to the methodology of apoptosis analysis have been published recently (1–3). Readers are advised to review the detailed experimental protocols in these books. This chapter aims to provide an overview of the basic approaches used in analyzing apoptosis, the principles, and the basic methodology, in order to provide a quick reference guide that readers can use to decide what method is available for their own studies. We start with the determination of cell viability and the morphology of dying cells. We then discuss the approaches available to examine apoptotic changes on the cell membrane, in both the cytosol and nucleus.
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Bai, L., Wang, J., Yin, XM., Dong, Z. (2003). Analysis of Apoptosis. In: Yin, XM., Dong, Z. (eds) Essentials of Apoptosis. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-361-3_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-361-3_16
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-5172-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-361-3
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