Abcam, ab65351, Beta Galactosidase Staining Kit (Senescence)

Size: 250Test / 5000Test
Beta Galactosidase Staining Kit (Senescence) ab65351 is used to stain cell cultures and frozen tissue sections for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. Senescent cells are stained blue. Readout with light microscope. - Cited in >180 publications - Individual kit components also available for purchase with a minimum order of 20 units. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric,
Sample types:Tissue, Adherent cells,
Assay type:Enzyme activity,
Assay time:1h 10m

Product details:
Beta Galactosidase Staining Kit (Senescence) ab65351 is designed to histochemically detect Senescence-Associated Beta Galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) activity in cultured cells and frozen tissue sections, a known characteristic of senescent cells. SA-beta-Gal activity is present only in senescent cells and is not found in presenescent, quiescent or immortal cells.
Senescent cells are stained blue, and are visualized with light microscopy.
SA beta-gal staining principle
The SA beta-gal staining assay includes:
- optimized tissue / cell fixative for beta-gal staining
- X-GAL beta galactosidase substrate; stains cells blue when acted on by beta-gal
- citric-phosphate beta-gal staining solution with potassium ferrocyanide / ferricyanide staining supplement.
Senescence assay protocol summary
- wash cells / sections with PBS
- fix with fixative solution for 10 min
- wash with PBS
- incubate in staining solution mix for 1 hr
- analyze staining with a light microscope
Other Beta Galactosidase Assay Kits and Staining Kits
To measure beta galactosidase activity as part of a senescence assay:
- use Beta Galactosidase Assay Kit (Senescence)
ab228562
to detect beta galactosidase activity in senescent cells by flow cytometry.
To measure beta galactosidase activity as part of a LacZ assay with cell cultures:
- use Beta Galactosidase Assay Kit (LacZ, Green)
ab176721
in an easy-to-use assay with readout on fluorometric plate reader
- use Beta Galactosidase Assay Kit (LacZ, Blue)
ab189815
with readout on fluorometric plate reader or flow cytometer
- use Beta Galactosidase Staining Kit (LacZ)
ab102534
to stain LacZ cells blue and visualize by light microscopy
Beta Galactosidase Assay Kit (Green)
ab287846
is used to measure Beta Galactosidase in homogenized cell or tissue samples with readout on fluorometric plate reader.
Other Notes
This product was previously called K320 Biovision Senescence Detection Kit. Biovision was acquired by Abcam in 2021.
The Safety Datasheet for this product has been updated for certain countries. Please check the current version in the Support and downloads section.

Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions--20°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions--20°C, Storage information-Please refer to protocols

Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase often called SA-beta-gal is an enzyme that serves as a biomarker for cellular senescence. It is a lysosomal hydrolase with a molecular mass of approximately 120 kDa. This enzyme functions mechanically by catalyzing the hydrolysis of beta-galactosides into monosaccharides. SA-beta-gal is expressed extensively in senescent cells which accumulate in various tissues as organisms age.
Biological function summary
Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase functions as an indicator of the senescent state of cells. It does not act as part of a larger complex but is key in detecting an increase in lysosomal mass characteristic of senescence. During the aging process cells exhibit increased expression of this enzyme which scientists use in beta-galactosidase assays to identify senescent cells in culture. Fluorescence methods or beta-gal staining often facilitate visualization of senescent cells by binding to substrates processed by the enzyme.
Pathways
The enzyme is indicative of involvement in both the p53 and p16INK4a-Rb tumor suppression pathways. Although not an active participant itself SA-beta-gal reflects altered cellular metabolism linked to these pathways often in collaboration with proteins like p53 and p16INK4a which regulate cell cycle arrest. Additionally it aligns with the decline of mitochondrial function another hallmark of senescent cells influencing cellular aging and stress response pathways.
SA-beta-gal activity correlates strongly with age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and certain types of cancer. As an aged cell marker its elevated presence can signify increased cellular senescence often contributing to tissue dysfunction and promoting disease progression. In Alzheimer's disease connections to amyloid precursor protein processing and tau pathology have been observed. In cancer SA-beta-gal works alongside proteins like p53 and p16INK4a to highlight cell cycle arrest anomalies where downregulated functionality or bypass can lead to unchecked cellular proliferation.