Background: Normal primary cells proliferate in culture for a limited number of population doublings prior to undergoing terminal growth arrest and acquiring a senescent phenotype. This finite life span correlates with the age of the organism and with the life expectancy of the species from which the cells were obtained; such that the older the age or the shorter the life span, the less the ability of the cells to undergo population doubling. Senescent cells are characterized by an irreversible G1 growth arrest involving the repression of genes that drive cell cycle progression and the upregulation of cell cycle inhibitors like p16INK4a, p53, and its transcriptional target, p21CIP1. They are resistant to mitogeninduced proliferation, and assume a characteristic enlarged, flattened morphology. Research into the pathways that positively regulate senescence and ways cells bypass senescence is therefore critical in understanding carcinogenesis. Normal cells have several mechanisms in place to protect against uncontrolled proliferation and tumorigenesis. Senescent cells show common biochemical markers such as expression of an acidic senescenceassociated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) activity. While senescence has been characterized primarily in cultured cells, there is also evidence that it occurs in vivo. Cells expressing markers of senescence such as SA-beta-Gal have been identified in normal tissues. The Cellular Senescence Assay Kit provides an easy-to-use and efficient method to determine cellular senescence. SA-beta-galactosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of X-gal, which produces a blue color. Each kit provides sufficient quantities to perform up to 50 assays in 35 mm dishes.

1. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons Press
2. Campisi, J. (2000) In Vivo 14, 183-188.
3. Dimri, G. P., X. Lee, G. Basile, M. Acosta, G. Scott, C. Roskelley, E. E. Medrano, M. Linskens, I. Rubelj, O. Pereira-Smith, M. Peacocke, and J. Campisi. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:9363-9367.
Lee, S. J. et al. (2014). Senescing human bone-marrow-derived clonal mesenchymal stem cells have altered lysophospholipid composition and functionality. J Proteome Res. 13:1438-1449.

Small volumes of Cellular Senescence Detection Kit (SA-beta-Gal Staining) 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.

MBS168501 is an assay kit targeting Cellular Senescence Detection Kit (SA-beta-Gal Staining).