Oxidative Stress Detection

Invitrogen CellROX Reagents are fluorogenic probes for measuring generalized oxidative stress in cells using conventional fluorescence microscopy, high content screening, microplate fluorometry, or flow cytometry. The dyes are nonfluorescent in a reduced state and fluoresce bright green, orange, or deep red upon oxidation. Some are formalin fixable for easy multiplexing with other fluorescent reagents including antibodies. Assays are simple and reliable with a sensitive and robust readout, and the reagent can be applied to cells in complete growth media. We provide Invitrogen CellROX dyes and conventional probes for oxidative stress measurement.

• Selection guide for generalized oxidative stress detection
• Learn more about Invitrogen CellROX Kits and Reagents

Lipid peroxidation is the oxidative degradation of lipids. ROS are the major initiators of lipid peroxidation, and membrane-bound polyunsaturated fatty acids like arachidonic acid and linoleic acid are their major targets. The byproducts of lipid peroxidation cause direct damage to cell membranes. They also form protein adducts, resulting in cell and tissue damage. Lipid peroxidation is implicated in many human diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We provide Invitrogen tools for live and fixed cells, with a choice of ratiometric or single-wavelength readout.

• Selection guide for lipid peroxidase detection

Superoxide, peroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and peroxynitrite are examples of ROS that react with nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids and result in cell and tissue damage. Certain ROS have been implicated in various human diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and aging. We provide selective Invitrogen reagents for a variety of reactive species targeted to the cytosol or mitochondria and detected using imaging, flow cytometry, or microplate analysis.

• Selection guide for selective ROS detection

Genetically encoded sensors provide an alternative to organic dyes for measuring redox potential or oxidative stress in live cells. roGFP is a fluorescent protein chimera that changes its excitation maximum from 488 nm to 400 nm based on a highly efficient redox relay. Using ratiometric detection of the emission at 515 nm, this shift can be used to measure H₂O₂ (Invitrogen Premo Cellular Hydrogen Peroxide H₂O₂ Sensor) or redox potential (Invitrogen Premo Cellular Redox Sensor, Grx-1-roGFP)  in live cells in a reversible and reproducible assay. The fluorescent proteins can be multiplexed with organic dyes or other expressed proteins to provide additional biological context for the assay.

• See protein-based sensors for selective ROS detection
• See protein-based sensors for detection of glutathione levels
  

Reduced glutathione, also known as GSH, is a major thiol bound to proteins. Protein thiols including GSH play an important role in determining the redox status of cells. Therefore, detection of GSH levels is a useful indication of redox potential and a cell’s ability to prevent oxidative stress. We provide Invitrogen intracellular probes for the sensitive detection and localization of thiols.

• Selection guide for detection of glutathione levels