Stemtag Alkaline Phosphatase Assay Kit

Background: Embryonic stem (ES) cells are continuous proliferating stem cell lines of embryonic origin first isolated from the inner cell mass (ICM). Two distinguishing features of ES cells are their ability to be maintained indefinitely in an undifferentiated state and their potential to develop into any cell within the body. Based on previous methods developed for mouse ES cells, human ES cell lines were first established by Dr. James Thomson and colleagues. Like mouse ES cells, human ES cells express high levels of membrane alkaline phosphatase (AP) and Oct-4, a transcriptional factor critical to ICM and germline formation. However, unlike mouse ES cells, hES cells do not express stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1). In addition, prolonged propagation of hES cells is typically achieved by coculture with primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) serving as feeder cells. Human ES cell lines are not able to maintain their undifferentiated state in the absence of supporting feeder layer cells, even when exogenous cytokines such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and gelatin-coated plates are used. Although stem cells from different origins require different growth conditions for self-renewal and display different cell surface markers (see Table 1), AP is the most widely used stem cell marker. The StemTAG Alkaline Phosphatase Staining and Activity Assay Kit (Fluorometric) provides an efficient system for monitoring ES cell undifferentiation/ differentiation through AP activity by both immunocytochemistry staining and quantitative activity assay.. The fluorometric alkaline phosphatase activity assay is 50 times more sensitive than that obtained with the chromogenic substrate (see CBA-301).

1. Wobus AM, Holzhausen H, Jäkel P et al. (1984) Exp Cell Res 152:212-219.
2. Thomson JA, Itskovitz-Eldor J, Shapiro SS et al. (1998) Science 282:1145-1147.
3. Smith AG, Nichols J, Robertson M et al. (1992) Dev Biol 151:339-351.
4. Reubinoff BE, Pera MF, Fong CY et al. (2000) Nat Biotechnol 18:399-404.

Small volumes of StemTAG Alkaline Phosphatase assay kit vial(s) may occasionally become entrapped in the seal of the product vial during shipment and storage. If necessary, briefly centrifuge the vial on a tabletop centrifuge to dislodge any liquid in the container`s cap. Certain products may require to ship with dry ice and additional dry ice fee may apply.

MBS169143 is an assay kit targeting StemTAG Alkaline Phosphatase. Also known as StemTAG Alkaline Phosphatase (Staining and Activity Assay Kit, Fluorometric).