Detection of Histone H2AX Phosphorylation on Ser‐139 as an Indicator of DNA Damage (DNA Double‐Strand Breaks)

Abstract

This unit describes immunocytochemical detection of phosphorylated histone H2AX for revealing the presence of DNA double-strand breaks. Double-strand breaks indicate DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation or by treatment with antitumor drugs such as DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. However, double-strand breaks can also be intrinsic, occurring in healthy, nontreated cells for a variety of reasons, and are generated in the course of DNA fragmentation in apoptotic cells. The unit presents strategies to distinguish radiation- or drug-induced breaks from those intrinsically formed in untreated cells or associated with apoptosis. The protocol describes the immunocytochemical detection of histone H2AX phosphorylated on Ser-139 combined with measurement of DNA content to identify cells that have DNA double-strand breaks and to concurrently assess their cell cycle phase. The detection is based on indirect immunofluorescence using a FITC-labeled secondary antibody, and DNA is counterstained with propidium iodide (PI). Cellular RNA, which may be stained by PI, is removed with RNase A.