Molecular Probes™ Click-iT™ Plus EdU Alexa Fluor™ 647 Flow Cytometry Assay Kit, 50 rxn(s)

The middle peak would most likely be from EdU-incorporated cells that have divided, each daughter cell receiving roughly half the incorporated EdU. To avoid this, we recommend shortening the incubation time of EdU with the cells.

We do not recommend doing this. The signal provided with the imaging kits may be too high for use on a flow cytometer.

The click reaction is only effective when copper is in the appropriate valency. Azides and alkynes will not react with each other without copper. Make sure that the click reaction mixture is used immediately after preparation when the copper (II) concentration is at its highest.
Do not use additive buffer that has turned yellow; it must be colorless to be active.
Cells need to be adequately fixed and permeabilized for the TdT enzyme and click reagents to have access to the nucleus. Tissue samples require digestion with proteinase K or other proteolytic enzymes for sufficient TdT access.
Some reagents can bind copper and reduce its effective concentration available to catalyze the click reaction. Do not include any metal chelator (e.g., EDTA, EGTA, citrate, etc.) in any buffer or reagent prior to the click reaction. Avoid buffers or reagents that include other metal ions that may be o xidized or reduced. It may be help to include extra wash steps on the cell or tissue sample before performing the click reaction.
You can repeat the click reaction with fresh reagents to try to improve signal. Increasing the click reaction time longer than 30 minutes will not improve a low signal. Performing a second, 30 minute incubation with fresh click reaction reagents is more effective at improving labeling.
Your cells may not be apoptotic. Prepare a DNase I-treated positive control to verify that the TdT enzymatic reaction and click labeling reaction are working correctly.

The click reaction is very selective between an azide and alkyne. No other side reactions are possible in a biological system. Any non-specific background is due to non-covalent binding of the dye to various cellular components. The Select FX Signal Enhancer is not effective at reducing non-specific charge-based binding of dyes following the click reaction; we do not recommend its use with the Click-iT detection reagents. The best method to reduce background is to increase the number of BSA washes. You should always do a no-dye or no-click reaction control under the same processing and detection conditions to verify that the background is actually due to the dye and not autofluorescence. You should also perform the complete click reaction on a no-TdT enzyme control sample to verify the specificity of the click reaction signal.

The copper in the click reaction denatures DNA to a small extent (although not as much as is required for efficient BrdU detection), which can affect the binding affinity of DNA dyes including DAPI and Hoechst stain. This effect should only be apparent with the classic EdU kits and not the Click-iT Plus EdU kits, which use a lower copper concentration.

The click reaction is only effective when copper is in the appropriate valency. Except for the DIBO alkyne-azide reaction, azides and alkynes will not react with each other without copper. Make sure that the click reaction mixture is used immediately after preparation when the copper (II) concentration is at its highest.
Do not use additive buffer that has turned yellow; it must be colorless to be active.
Cells need to be adequately fixed and permeabilized for the click reagents to have access to intracellular components that have incorporated the click substrate(s).
Some reagents can bind copper and reduce its effective concentration available to catalyze the click reaction. Do not include any metal chelator (e.g., EDTA, EGTA, citrate, etc.) in any buffer or reagent prior to the click reaction. Avoid buffers or reagents that include other metal ions that may be oxidized or reduced. It may be help to include extra wash steps on the cell or tissue sample before performing the click reaction.
You can repeat the click reaction with fresh reagents to try to improve signal. Increasing the click reaction time longer than 30 minutes will not improve a low signal. Performing a second, 30 minute incubation with fresh click reaction reagents is more effective at improving labeling.
Low signal can also be due to low incorporation of EdU, EU, or other click substrates. Other click substrates (e.g., AHA, HPG, palmitic acid, azide, etc.) incorporated into cellular components may have been lost if not adequately cross-linked in place or if the wrong fixative was used. For click substrates that are incorporated into the membrane or lipids, you should avoid the use of alcohol or acetone fixatives and permeabilizing agents.
The incorporated click substrate must be accessible at the time of the click reaction; labeling of incorporated amino acid analogs may be lower in native proteins relative to denatured proteins.
You may need to optimize the metabolic labeling conditions including analog incubation time or concentration. Cells that are healthy, not too high of a passage number and not too crowded may incorporate the analog better. You may create a positive control by including extra doses of the click substrate during multiple time points during an incubation time that spans or closely spans the doubling time of the cell type of interest.

The click reaction is very selective between an azide and alkyne. No other side reactions are possible in a biological system. Any non-specific background is due to non-covalent binding of the dye to various cellular components. The Select FX Signal Enhancer is not effective at reducing non-specific charge-based binding of dyes following the click reaction; we do not recommend its use with the Click-iT detection reagents. The best method to reduce background is to increase the number of BSA washes. You should always do a no-dye or no-click reaction control under the same processing and detection conditions to verify that the background is actually due to the dye and not autofluorescence. You can also perform the complete click reaction on a carrier solvent-only, no EdU or no-EU control to verify the specificity of the click reaction signal.

No, the EdU metabolic labeling reagent must be used on live cells, but the actual click detection reaction must be performed on fixed and permeabilized samples, as the azide detection reagents and buffer components are cell impermeant.

It is possible, but if you have not completely labeled all of the metabolically incorporated EdU in the first click reaction, then it will be labeled in the second click reaction for TUNEL labeling, leading to false positives for apoptotic cells. It would be simpler to combine Click-iT EdU labeling with BrdU TUNEL labeling, as BrdU detection will not cross-react with EdU labeled cells. If you really wish to perform a double EdU labeling for both proliferation and apoptosis detection, then you should repeat the click reaction to detect the metabolically incorporated EdU using fresh click reagents to ensure that all of the incorporated EdU is labeled before performing the EdU TUNEL assay. You should then perform a control no-TdT enzyme EdU TUNEL assay to verify that there is no signal generated with the TUNEL click reaction.

Yes, EdU and BrdU labeling can be combined for dual-pulse labeling of cell proliferation in cultured cells and in vivo. BrdU will be preferentially incorporated into DNA, so perform the EdU incubation first followed by the BrdU incubation. Removal of EdU from the media is not required in cultured cells when BrdU is added as the second label. Perform an alcohol fixation followed by some method of DNA denaturation as required for the BrdU detection protocol and then perform the click labeling reaction for detection of EdU followed by antibody labeling for detection of BrdU. Be sure to select a BrdU antibody that does not have cross-reactivity to EdU, such as our MoBU-1 clone (Cat. No. B35141). Many BrdU antibodies have been shown to have some amount of cross-reactivity with incorporated EdU. Here is a link (http://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/references/protocols/cell-and-tissue-analysis/flow-cytometry-protocol/cell-proliferation/dual-pulse-labeling-of-cell-proliferation-using-edu-and-brdu-incorporation.html) to an example protocol for dual-pulse labeling using EdU and BrdU.

We have not validated the use of EdU for proliferation in 3D culture systems, but as this reagent is compatible for labeling cells in vivo, it is also expected to label cells in 3D culture systems. There are a number of reports in the literature that use this product in 3D culture systems; here are some citations:

Lei Y, Schaffer DV (2013) A fully defined and scalable 3D culture system for human pluripotent stem cell expansion and differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:E5039-E5048.
Derda R, Laromaine A, Mammoto A et al. (2009) Paper-supported 3D cell culture for tissue-based bioassays. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106:18457-18462.
Robertson FM, Ogasawara MA, Ye Z et al. (2010) Imaging and Analysis of 3D Tumor Spheroids Enriched for a Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype. J Biomol Screen 15:820-829.

Yes, you can store samples after fixing in formaldehyde and washing, before the permeabilization step. Just keep the cells in PBS, cover and seal the container well, and store at 4 degrees C. The cells should be fine for at least a week. You can also store the samples after the click reaction and wash steps and then perform any immunostaining and nuclear counterstaining on the following day.

No, the detection reagent and reagents necessary to perform the click reaction cannot be intermixed between the Click-iT Plus and original Click-iT kits. The Click-iT Plus assay uses a modified picolyl azide dye and reduced copper concentration combined with a special copper protectant that localizes the copper at the click reaction, while the original Click-iT kits use an unmodified azide dye and higher copper concentrations to perform the click reaction.

The Click-iT Plus assay uses a modified picolyl azide dye and reduced copper concentration combined with a special copper protectant that localizes the copper at the incorporated alkyne group and thus minimizes copper damage to biomolecules. The original Click-iT kits use an unmodified azide dye and higher copper concentrations to perform the click reaction, which may inactivate enzymes, including HRP, and will quench the fluorescence of GFP, RFP, mCherry and other fluorescent proteins, as well as R-phycoerythrin. If you do not wish to modify your antibody staining protocol or have fluorescent protein-expressing cells, then use the Click-iT Plus kits.

The following cell health and viability assays can be performed by flow cytometry :

-Apoptosis Assays:
Membrane Asymmetry: Annexin V is a member of a family of structurally related proteins that bind phospholipids in the presence of Ca2+. Annexin V binds several phospholipids, but shows highest affinity for phosphatidylserine.
Phosphatidylserine is normally found in the inner leaflet of the cell membrane; however, in the early stages of apoptosis, phosphatidylserine is observed to translocate to the outer leaflet. This translocation makes phosphatidylserine available for annexin V binding in the presence of Ca2+ containing incubation buffer. Cells undergoing apoptosis will stain with annexin V, while normal cells will not. annexin V is available conjugated with a wide range of fluorophores.

Mitochondrial Health: A distinctive feature of the early stages of apoptosis is the disruption of the mitochondria, including changes in membrane and redox potential. We exclusively offer a number of fluorescent probes for analyzing mitochondrial activity in live cells by flow cytometry, with minimal disruption of cellular function.

The MitoProbe family of mitochondrial stains (MitoProbe DiOC2(3) Assay Kit, Cat. No. M34150, MitoProbe JC-1 Assay Kit, Cat. No. M34152, and MitoProbe DiIC1(5) Assay Kit, Cat. No. M34151) provides quick, easy, and reliable flow cytometric detection of the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential that occurs during apoptosis.

Caspase Activity: The CellEvent Caspase-3/7 Green Flow Cytometry Assay Kit (Cat. No. C10427) enables flow cytometric detection of activated caspase-3 and caspase-7 in apoptotic cells. The kit includes the novel fluorogenic substrate CellEvent Caspase-3/7 Green Detection Reagent which targets the recognition sequence for activated caspase-3 and caspase-7, as well as SYTOX AADvanced Dead Cell Stain.

DNA Fragmentation: The later stages of apoptosis are characterized by changes in nuclear morphology, including DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, degradation of nuclear envelope, nuclear blebbing, and DNA strand breaks. DNA fragmentation that occurs during apoptosis produces DNA strand breaks, and can be analyzed using TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assays. The APO-BrdU TUNEL assay (Cat. No. A23210) is a two-color assay for labeling DNA breaks and total cellular DNA to detect apoptotic cells by imaging or flow cytometry.

Nuclear Chromatin Condensation: The later stages of apoptosis are characterized by changes in nuclear morphology, including DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, degradation of nuclear envelope, nuclear blebbing, and DNA strand breaks. Cells undergoing apoptosis display an increase in nuclear chromatin condensation. As the chromatin condenses, cell-permeable nucleic acid stains becomes hyperfluorescent, thus enabling the identification of apoptotic cells when combined with a traditional dead-cell stain. The Vybrant Apoptosis Assay Kit #5, Hoechst 33342/Propidium Iodide (Cat. No. V13244) provides a rapid and convenient assay for apoptosis based on fluorescence detection of the compacted state of the chromatin in apoptotic cells. The Chromatin Condensation & Membrane Permeability Dead Cell Apoptosis Kit with Hoechst 33342, YO-PRO-1, and PI dyes, for flow cytometry (Cat. No. V23201) detects apoptotic cells with changes in nuclear chromatin condensation and plasma membrane permeability.

-Cell Cycle Analysis:
Live cell assays: The Vybrant DyeCycle family of dyes offers robust fluorescent dyes for live-cell cycle analysis with limited cytotoxicity using 405 nm (Cat. No. V35003), 488 nm (Cat. No. V35004), 532 nm (Cat. No. V35005), or 633 nm (Cat. Nos. V10309 and V10273) excitation. The dyes have low cytotoxicity, allowing stained cells to be sorted and otherwise cultured or assessed with functional assays after staining.

Fixed cell assays: Analyzing cell cycle using FxCycle Violet Stain (Cat. No. F10347), SYTOX AADvanced Dead Cell Stain Kit (Cat. No. S10349) or FxCycle Far Red Stain (Cat. No. F10348) allows for multiple color options for simplified fixed cell cycle analysis.

-Cell Proliferation:
Dye dilution assays for cell proliferation: Dye dilution assays for cell proliferation rely on cell membrane–permeant fluorescent molecules. Upon entry into the cell, the dye will covalently bind to amine groups on proteins, resulting in long-term dye retention within the cell. Through subsequent cell divisions, each daughter cell receives approximately half the fluorescence of the parent. Analysis of the fluorescence intensities of cell populations by flow cytometry enables determination of the number of generations through which a cell or population has progressed since the label was applied. CellTrace fluorescent stains can be used without affecting morphology or physiology to trace generations in vivo or in vitro. There is no known effect on proliferative ability or biology of cells and they are well retained in cells for several days post-stain. Available kits for flow cytometry include CellTrace CFSE Cell Proliferation Kit (Cat. No. C34554), CellTrace Violet Cell Proliferation Kit (Cat. No. C34557), and CellTrace Far Red Cell Proliferation Kit (Cat. No. C34564).

DNA Synthesis Assays: Measuring the synthesis of new DNA is a precise way to assay cell proliferation in individual cells or in cell populations. DNA synthesis–based cell proliferation assays measure the rate of new DNA synthesis based on incorporation of modified nucleosides. The Click-iT Plus EdU cell proliferation assay utilizes the power of click chemistry and the modified nucleoside EdU to provide a superior alternative to BrdU staining for detecting and quantitating newly synthesized DNA. The Click-iT Plus EdU cell proliferation assay is available with Pacific Blue (Cat. No. C10636), Alexa Fluor 488 (Cat. Nos. C10632 and C10633), and Alexa Fluor 647 (Cat. Nos. C10634 and C10635).

-Viability Assays:
Dead cells often give false positive results, as they tend to bind non-specifically to many reagents. Therefore, removing dead cells from your flow cytometry data is a critical step to help ensure accurate results and analysis.

Non-fixable Membrane Permeability Stains: SYTOX Dead Cell Stains (Cat. Nos. S34857, S34860, S34861, S34859, and S34862) do not cross intact cell membranes, and they exhibit increased fluorescence upon dsDNA binding, making them some of our most brilliant dead cell stains. Cell-impermeant classic DNA-binding dyes include propidium iodide (Cat. No. P21493) and 7-AAD (Cat. No. A1310). Both of these dyes have been used extensively for viability assays in flow cytometry. CellTrace Calcein AM dyes can be passively loaded into adherent and nonadherent cells. These cell-permeant esterase substrates serve as viability probes that measure both enzymatic activity, which is required to activate their fluorescence, and cell membrane integrity, which is required for intracellular retention of their fluorescent products. Available with blue (Cat. No. C34853), violet (Cat. No. C34858), and green (Cat. No. C34852) fluorescence, these dyes are ideal for short-term staining of live cells and can be used in multiplexed flow cytometry experiments.

Fixable Viability Stains: The LIVE/DEAD Fixable Dead Cell Stains are fixable viability dyes that help to ensure accurate assessment of cell viability in samples after fixation and/or permeabilization. LIVE/DEAD Fixable Dead Cell Stain Kits are based on the reaction of a fluorescent reactive dye with cellular proteins (amines). These dyes cannot penetrate live-cell membranes, so only cell-surface proteins are available to react with the dye, resulting in dim staining. The reactive dye can permeate the damaged membranes of dead cells and stain both the interior and exterior amines, resulting in more intense staining. LIVE/DEAD Fixable Dead Cell Stain Kits are available in eight single-channel colors available for UV, 405, 488, 532, 561, or 633 nm lasers in three packaging sizes to match your experiment.

Other than the EdU (Component A), DMSO (Component C), and Click-iT EdU buffer additive (Component F or G), all other components in the respective kits are not interchangeable. The types of reagents and amounts provided per kit were optimized either for imaging or flow cytometry. Using the imaging reagents may result in an excessive level of signal for flow cytometry detection and using the flow cytometry reagents may result in sub-optimal signal for imaging.