Cited by 330Cell death mechanisms and regulationCarcinogens and Genotoxicity AssessmentMolecular Biology Techniques and Applications

An overview of apoptosis assays detecting DNA fragmentation

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Majtnerová, Pavlína, Roušar, Tomáš·2018·Molecular Biology Reports

Abstract

Apoptosis has been recognized as a type of programmed cell death connected with characteristic morphological and biochemical changes in cells. This programmed cell death plays an important role in the genesis of a number of physiological and pathological processes. Thus, it can be very important to detect the signs of apoptosis in a study of cellular metabolism. The present paper provides an overview of methods often being used for detecting DNA fragmentation as one of the most specific findings in apoptosis. To date, three routine assays have been developed for detecting DNA fragmentation: DNA ladder assay, TUNEL assay, and comet assay. All these methods differ in their principles for detecting DNA fragmentation. DNA ladder assay detects the characteristic "DNA ladder" pattern formed during internucleosomal cleavage of DNA. Terminal deoxynUcleotidyl transferase Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay detects DNA strand breaks using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase catalyzing attachment of modified deoxynucleotides on the DNA strand breaks. Comet assay can be used for detecting nucleus breakdown producing single/double-strand DNA breaks. The aim of this review is to describe the present knowledge on these three methods, including optimized approaches, techniques, and limitations.

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Authors
Majtnerová, P., & Roušar, T.
Affiliations
University of Pardubice (CZ)
Corresponding author
  • Majtnerová, Pavlína
  • Roušar, Tomáš
Venue
Molecular Biology Reports
Published
2018-07-18
Volume
45
Issue
5
Pages
1469-1478
ISSN
  • 0301-4851 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-4978
OpenAlex
W2884987394
Cited by
330
References
115
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 57 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 56 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 9
FWCI
2.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Molecular Biology Reports (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digitální knihovna Univerzity Pardubice (Univerzity Pardubice) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
Keywords
apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, TUNEL, comet assay, internucleosomal DNA cleavage, DNA strand breaks, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, programmed cell death
MeSH terms
Animals, Biological Assay, DNA, Humans, Apoptosis, In Situ Nick-End Labeling, Comet Assay, DNA Fragmentation

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