Cell-cycle analysis by flow cytometry measures DNA content in single cells to estimate the fraction of cells in G0/G1, S, and G2/M phases. Propidium iodide intercalates into DNA, and after RNA removal with RNase, fluorescence intensity reflects cellular DNA content: 2N cells are assigned to G0/G1, cells between 2N and 4N to S phase, and 4N cells to G2/M. DNA-content analysis alone cannot reliably separate G0 from G1 or G2 from M. Ki-67 can distinguish quiescent G0 cells from cycling cells, EdU or BrdU incorporation marks active DNA synthesis in S phase, and phospho-histone H3 staining identifies mitotic cells within the 4N population.
Cell Cycle
The cell cycle is a process in which a cell begins with division, passes through a series of orderly life cycle stages, and finally completes one division. Including mitosis (M phase) and interphase (G1, S, G2). In S phase, DNA is synthesized and replicated; in G2 phase, it prepares to enter mitosis; after mitosis is completed, it enters G1 phase. The regulation of the cell cycle is precisely regulated by multiple cell cycle proteins and kinases to ensure the orderly progress of cell division. Studying the cell cycle is of great significance to understanding cell biology, cancer mechanisms and drug treatment.
Related Experimental Schemes
