Methods for Determining Myc-Induced Apoptosis

Although many oncoproteins promote cell growth and proliferation, some also possess the potential to induce cell cycle arrest or cell death by apoptosis. Elevated and deregulated expression of the Myc protein promotes apoptosis in both cultured cells and in some tissues in vivo. Here we describe techniques to detect Myc-induced apoptosis in vitro using flow cytometry, microscopy, and immunoblotting, and in vivo using immunohistochemical staining, immunoblotting, and analysis of RNA expression.