TUNEL AP is an alkaline phosphatase-labeled antibody used for the in situ detection of apoptosis (programmed cell death) with the TUNEL reaction followed by transmission light microscopy.

The tailing reaction using TdT, also named ISEL (in situ end labeling) or TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling), has several advantages in comparison to the in situ nick translation (ISNT) using DNA polymerase:

• Label intensity of apoptotic cells is higher with TUNEL compared to ISNT, resulting in an increased sensitivity.
• Kinetics of nucleotide incorporation is very rapid with TUNEL compared to the ISNT.
• TUNEL preferentially labels apoptotic cells compared to necrotic cells.

TUNEL AP is an antibody that is used to convert fluorescence-based TUNEL assays into colorimetric assays suited for light microscopy. The conversion is performed by binding of an anti-fluorescein antibody to FITC-dUTP. The antibody is labeled with alkaline phosphatase (AP). The AP is visualized with a precipitating substrate, such as Fast Red or NBT/BCIP.

Anti-fluorescein antibody, Fab fragment from sheep, conjugated with alkaline phosphatase (AP). Ready-to-use solution.

For life science research only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.