Renilla luciferase-labeled Annexin V: a new probe for detection of apoptotic cells

The Ca(2+)-dependent binding of Annexin V to phosphatidylserine on cell surfaces is a reliable marker for apoptosis that is widely used in flow cytometry based apoptosis assays. In this paper, we report a new class of Annexin V-based probes for apoptosis. Luciferase from Renilla reniformis (RLuc) was linked to Annexin V and expressed successfully in a soluble form in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The new probe, Rluc/Annexin V, was purified and functionally assayed for detection of apoptosis in actinomycin D-induced apoptotic Jurkat cells. Moreover, the spontaneous apoptosis in neutrophils was shown using the new probe. The results indicate that Rluc/Annexin V can bind to the apoptotic cells, and the signal of Renilla luciferase can be detected by luminometric measurements. The availability of Rluc/Annexin V may be of potential commercial interest for improving current apoptosis assays.