Short Communication

The single-cell gel electrophoresis assay to determine apoptosis induced by siRNA in Colo 320 cells

Huang Hao¹*, Fu lei¹, Yu Nancai¹, Su Wen¹ and Qi Xiaojuan²*

¹Center of Experimental Medicine, Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan City 430022, P.R. China.

²Maternal and Child Care Service Centre in Wuhan's Qingshan District, Wuhan City 430022, P.R. China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: whhuanghao10@yahoo.com.cn.

Tel.: 86 27 85332365.

Accepted 5 June, 2009

The aim of the present study was to determine if the pattern of DNA fragmentation determined by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay can be used to determine apoptosis induced by siRNA in Colo 320 cells. When the frequency of appearance of apoptotic cells following was observed over a period of time, there was a significant increase in appearance of apoptosis when using single cell gel electrophoresis assay. The present report demonstrates that the characteristic pattern of apoptotic comets detected by the comet assay corresponds to cells undergoing apoptosis.

Key words: the single cell gel electrophoresis assay, Colo 320 cells, apoptosis, comets.