METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR OBSERVING APOPTOSIS BY DETECTING FRAGMENTS OF CLATHRIN-PATHWAY COMPONENTS

摘要

Disclosed is an in vitro method of detecting apoptosis in a mammalian cell comprising: (a) contacting the cell with an antibody that binds to a protein fragment generated during apoptosis, wherein the antibody binds to a protein fragment of AP2-alpha; (b) determining the amount of the antibody which binds to the protein fragment generated during apoptosis; and (c) comparing the amount of antibody bound in step (b) with the amount of antibody which binds to the protein fragment in a mammalian cell free of apoptosis, wherein if the amount in step (b) is greater than the amount in the cell free of apoptosis, then apoptosis is detected. Also disclosed is an in vitro method for identifying a human cancer cell that is likely to respond, or is responsive to a therapeutic agent that induces apoptosis in human cancer cells.