Vibrant Blue and Red Detection Systems

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a hydrolase enzyme responsible for dephosphorylating molecules such as nucleotides and proteins under alkaline conditions. The Dual-Color Alkaline Phosphatase Staining Kit is a histochemical assay for use on cells grown in tissue culture wells or dishes. It uses a solution containing substrate and color dye as the colorimetric read-out for the enzymatic activity. The AP-positive, undifferentiated stem cells stain red or blue. The stain develops quickly, does not readily fade, and can be analyzed 15 to 30 minutes after application to the cultured cells. For added convenience, the stained samples can be kept at 4°C for up to one week for analysis.

Discriminate between undifferentiated and differentiated cells

The AP staining kit can be used to discriminate between pluripotent versus differentiated cells as shown below. Staining of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells using the Red-Color AP staining kit. The differentiated colony (indicated by white arrow) appears colorless and undifferentiated, iPSC colony (indicated by red arrow) appears red or purple.