BrdU (Bromodeoxyuridine) Antibody Staining Protocol for Immunohistochemistry

 

Description: 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is an analogue of thymidine. When incubated with tissue, proliferating cells incorporate BrdU into the DNA during S phase and this provides an accurate means of determining cell proliferation. This antibody detects incorporated BrdU in cells or tissues.

 

Primary Antibody

Name: BrdU Antibody

Clone: 85-2C8, Mouse anti-BrdU

Supplier: Vector Labs

Catalog Number: VP-B209

Dilution: 1:200 - 1:400 using IHC-TekTM Antibody Diluent (Cat# IW-1000 or IW-1001) to reduce background and unspecific staining and serum blocking step is NOT needed.

Incubation Time/Temp: 60min/room temperature


Antigen Retrieval
Device: IHC-TekTM Epitope Retrieval Steamer Set (Cat# IW-1102)
Buffer/pH value: IHC-TekTM Epitope Retrieval Solution (Cat# IW-1100) or 2N HCl (see Note below for details)
Heat/Cool Temperature: 95-100 ºC/room temperature
Heat/Cool Time: 20 minutes/20 minutes

Detection Methods
Standard Method: ABC Method or LSAB Method
Enhanced Method: Polymeric Methods

Chromogen Substrate
Reagent: DAB
Incubation Time/Temperature: 1-3 minutes/room temperature

Counterstain
Reagent: Mayer's Hematoxylin
Staining Time: 30 seconds

Results:
Staining Pattern: Nuclear
Images: Search image

Additional Information:
Tissue Type: Cells or tissues with incorporated BrdU
Fixation: Formalin-fixed paraffin sections, or acetone fixed frozen sections
Positive Control: Cells or tissues with incorporated BrdU
Negative Control: Omit primary antibody, isotype control, absorption control
Blocking: 2-5% normal serum to reduce unspecific background staining; 0.5-3% H2O2 to block endogenous peroxidase activity; avidin/biotin to block endogenous biotin activity if necessary

Notes:

Denature DNA by incubating sections in 2N HCl for 30 minutes at 37 °C, and neutralize the acid by immersing sections in 0.1M borate buffer for 2x5 min.

 

2N HCl:

10N HCl --------------------------- 20 ml

Distilled water -------------------- 80 ml

Mix well.

 

0.1M Borate Buffer, pH 8.5:

Sodium borate (MW 381.4) ----- 3.8 g

Distilled water -------------------- 100 ml

Mix to dissolve and adjust pH to 8.5

 

References: