TUNEL Assay: A Powerful Tool for Kidney Injury Evaluation |
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Authors: | Christopher L. Moore Alena V. Savenka Alexei G. Basnakian |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham Street, #638, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (C.L.M.); (A.V.S.);2.John L. McClellan Memorial VA Hospital, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA |
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Abstract: | Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay is a long-established assay used to detect cell death-associated DNA fragmentation (3’-OH DNA termini) by endonucleases. Because these enzymes are particularly active in the kidney, TUNEL is widely used to identify and quantify DNA fragmentation and cell death in cultured kidney cells and animal and human kidneys resulting from toxic or hypoxic injury. The early characterization of TUNEL as an apoptotic assay has led to numerous misinterpretations of the mechanisms of kidney cell injury. Nevertheless, TUNEL is becoming increasingly popular for kidney injury assessment because it can be used universally in cultured and tissue cells and for all mechanisms of cell death. Furthermore, it is sensitive, accurate, quantitative, easily linked to particular cells or tissue compartments, and can be combined with immunohistochemistry to allow reliable identification of cell types or likely mechanisms of cell death. Traditionally, TUNEL analysis has been limited to the presence or absence of a TUNEL signal. However, additional information on the mechanism of cell death can be obtained from the analysis of TUNEL patterns. |
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Keywords: | TUNEL cell death kidney DNases endonucleases tissue injury |
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