Annexin V is a phosphatidylserine (PS) binding protein which is used to detect PS on the surface of cells undergoing apoptosis. Apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically encoded cell elimination program which ensures an equilibrium between cell proliferation and cell death and by which damaged or unwanted cells are eliminated.

During the early stages of apoptosis, cells loose their phospholipid membrane symmetry and expose phosphatidylserine at the cell surface while the plasma membrane remains intact. The exposure of phosphatidylserine on the outside of the cell can be monitored in cell suspensions using fluorochrome labelled Annexin V in flow cytometry .

More information about Application, Specifications, Performance Characteristics and References