Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Assays

Cell proliferation is an increase in the number of cells due to cell division or cytokinesis. Cell proliferation is strictly regulated, with a large number of different proteins cooperating to control cell cycle checkpoints. Cell proliferation is integral to tissue development and life cycle maintenance, genetic mutations found in cancer cells lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation. The cell cycle is defined as "the period between successive divisions of a cell". The cell cycle consists of several phases, namely: G1 - cell size increase; S - DNA synthesis; G2 - further cell growth; M - mitosis and cell division; G0 - quiescence.

Cell proliferation accompanies the life cycle of an organism and plays a key role in maintaining adult tissue homoeostasis by replacing old cells with new ones. Abnormal cell proliferation is often associated with diseases such as cancer. Therefore, the determination of cell proliferation and cell cycle has a wide range of applications and great significance in scientific research, including from testing of pharmaceutical agents to the effect of growth factors, from testing cytotoxicity to analyzing cell activity.

Services

As an experienced service provider, Profacgen has a complete experimental platform and a professional scientist team. With more than 10 years of experience in cytotoxicity experiments, we provide customers with various cell proliferation and cell cycle assay services. These four methods are mainly available on our platform: cell proliferation marker detection, metabolic activity detection, ATP concentration detection and DNA synthesis detection. We customize optimal assays based on cell type, research protocol, and client preference for proliferation measurements.

Cell proliferation marker: some antigens only exist in proliferating cells, for example, Ki-67 protein in human cells is only expressed in the S, G2 and M phases of the cell cycle, but not in the G0 and G1 phases (non-proliferative phase), so cell proliferation can be detected using antibodies against Ki-67 protein. Other commonly used markers include PCNA and topoisomerase IIB.

Metabolic activity: a mature cell proliferation detection method, using methods based on the metabolic activity of cell populations. The four tetrazolium salts we commonly use are MTT, XTT, MTS, and WST1.

ATP concentration: ATP content in cells is strictly controlled, dead cells or dying cells contain almost no ATP. When luciferase is used for detection, its luminescence intensity is directly proportional to the ATP concentration.

DNA synthesis: proliferating cells incorporate 3H-thymidine/BrdU labels into their nascent DNA, which is then detected by a scintillation counter after elution.

Profacgen has accumulated lots of experience in PROATCs. Our professional technical team can provide customers with high-quality cell proliferation and cell cycle assays and many related featured services. Our competitive prices and extensive expertise have earned us the trust of our collaborators. Contact us to find out how Profacgen could be of assistance.

Reference

1. Golias, C.H.; et al. Cell proliferation and cell cycle control: a mini review. Int J Clin Pract. 2004.