[Histonet] Annexin V IHC in mouse xenograft

[Sarka Lhotak]

Hi Aprill,

I am not sure if you are using an antibody against Annexin V or if you
are trying to stain with Annexin V (use it as a detection agent).

Annexin V is a protein that binds to phosphatidyl serine. It is often
used as a tool to detect early stages of apoptosis when the plasma
membrane "flips" and exposes phosphatidyl serine on the outside of
cells, whereas in normal live cells it would be on the inside. It is
used eg. in flow cytometry on unfixed cells. Dead cells or
permeabilized cells would be all positive as the reagent (Annexin V)
would have access to the inside of cells and react with phosphatidyl
serine in the inner leaflet of the membrane.
 I don't think it could work on tissues in paraffin sections. But
somebody may prove me wrong...



Sarka Lhotak

McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario