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Cell Death and Survival Assays

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Chaperones

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1709))

Abstract

Heat shock proteins are well-known protectors from cell death. Cell death (in particular, apoptosis and necrosis) is accompanied by certain hallmarks manifested as specific alterations in cellular membranes, cytoplasm, nucleus, and mitochondria. Some of those hallmarks are easily detectable in situ and, therefore, they can be applied for the assessment of dying or dead cells. In turn, there are also signs of viable cells that include such features as normal functioning of their membranes and organelles, ability to proliferate, etc. This chapter describes several convenient methods for quantification of dead (apoptotic and necrotic) cells as well as methods for assessment of viable cells. We describe in detail methods of annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining, TUNEL assay, Hoechst/PI staining, caspase activation, MTS tetrazolium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, colony formation, and senescence assays, with the principles, advantages, and drawbacks of each technique.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Biochemistry, A. Tsyb Medical Radiology Research Center, Obninsk, 249036, Russia

    Alexander E. Kabakov

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Vladimir L. Gabai

Authors
  1. Alexander E. Kabakov
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  2. Vladimir L. Gabai
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Alexander E. Kabakov or Vladimir L. Gabai .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation, Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Stuart K. Calderwood

  2. Department of Urology, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA

    Thomas L. Prince

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Kabakov, A.E., Gabai, V.L. (2018). Cell Death and Survival Assays. In: Calderwood, S., Prince, T. (eds) Chaperones. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1709. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7477-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7477-1_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7476-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7477-1

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