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In Situ Ligation: A Decade and a Half of Experience

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DNA Damage Detection In Situ, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 682))

Abstract

The in situ ligation (ISL) methodology detects apoptotic cells by the presence of characteristic DNA double-strand breaks. A labeled double-stranded probe is ligated to the double-strand breaks in situ on tissue sections. Like the popular TUNEL assay, ISL detects cells in apoptosis based on the ongoing destruction of DNA by apoptotic nucleases. In comparison to TUNEL, it is more specific for apoptosis versus other causes of DNA damage, both repairable damage and necrosis. In the decade and a half since its introduction, ISL has been used in several hundred publications. Here we review the development of the method, its current status, and its uses and limitations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Sam and Ann Barshop Center for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Peter J. Hornsby

  2. Departments of Neurosurgery and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Vladimir V. Didenko

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  1. Peter J. Hornsby
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  2. Vladimir V. Didenko
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Correspondence to Vladimir V. Didenko .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Baylor College of Medicine, Depts. Neurosurgery and Molecular & Cell, University of Houston, Holcombe Blvd. 2002, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Vladimir V. Didenko

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Hornsby, P.J., Didenko, V.V. (2011). In Situ Ligation: A Decade and a Half of Experience. In: Didenko, V. (eds) DNA Damage Detection In Situ, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 682. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-409-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-409-8_5

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

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