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Using TUNEL Assay to Quantitate p53-Induced Apoptosis in Mouse Tissues

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Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2267))

Abstract

Critical to tumor surveillance in eukaryotic cells is the ability to perceive and respond to DNA damage. p53, fulfills its role as “guardian of the genome” by either arresting cells in the cell cycle in order to allow time for repair of DNA damage or regulating a process of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. This process will eliminate cells that have suffered severe damage from intrinsic or extrinsic factors such as X-ray irradiation or chemotherapeutic drug treatments that include doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and methotrexate. Assays designed to specifically detect cells undergoing programmed cell death are essential in defining the tissue specific responses to tumor therapy treatment, tissue damage, or degenerative processes. This chapter will delineate the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling) assay that is used for the rapid detection of 3′ OH ends of DNA that are generated during apoptosis.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Nicolas Barthelery for his guidance in animal care and related procedures, as well as the use of the cryostat and sectioning instructions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    Lois Resnick-Silverman

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  1. Lois Resnick-Silverman
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Correspondence to Lois Resnick-Silverman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    James J. Manfredi

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Resnick-Silverman, L. (2021). Using TUNEL Assay to Quantitate p53-Induced Apoptosis in Mouse Tissues. In: Manfredi, J.J. (eds) Cell Cycle Checkpoints. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2267. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1217-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1217-0_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1216-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1217-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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