Dye Selection in Cell Cycle Analysis

The cell cycle refers to the entire process that a cell undergoes from the completion of one division to the end of the next division. It typically consists of G0/G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase, and M phase. Cell cycle analysis plays a crucial role in understanding cell proliferation status, physiological functions, drug resistance, and more.

In this article, we will introduce the selection of dyes and reagents for cell cycle analysis from two aspects to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of your experiments.

I. Selection of DNA Dyes

The primary method for cell cycle analysis involves distinguishing different phases by detecting variations in DNA content within the cell nucleus. Various DNA dyes are commonly used for this purpose, including PI, DAPI, TOTO-3, and YOYO-1. These dyes cannot penetrate the cell membrane during staining and typically require fixation with 70% ethanol to make them permeate the cell membrane and bind to DNA. Here's a summary of the main differences:

II. Selection of Dyes for Special Samples

If cells have been transfected with plasmids containing EGFP or mCherry tags or have undergone other fluorescence labeling, it is essential to select appropriate cell cycle assay kits based on the fluorescence channels of different fluorescent proteins. Here are the main considerations:

III. Case Studies:

Figure 1. Jurkat cells induced with paclitaxel for 6 hours, analyzed using Cell Cycle Assay Kit (Red Fluorescence) (E-CK-A351).

Figure 2. Jurkat cells transfected with empty EGFP plasmid, induced with paclitaxel for 6 hours, harvested, and analyzed using Cell Cycle Assay Kit (Blue Fluorescence) (E-CK-A353).

Figure 3. Jurkat cells transfected with empty mCherry plasmid, induced with paclitaxel for 6 hours, harvested, and analyzed using Cell Cycle Assay Kit (Green Fluorescence) (E-CK-A352).

Do you have any questions about dye and reagent selection for cell cycle analysis? Feel free to leave a message if you have any further inquiries.