What do Monensin and Brefeldin A do?
These are critical chemicals for inclusion in cell cultures during cell activation prior to analysis by cytokine flow cytometry. Monensin and Brefeldin A are protein transport inhibitors that block secretion of cytokines by cells via the golgi apparatus, thereby causing an accumulation of cytokines at the endoplasmic reticulum. Cells are often incubated with either of these two chemicals during cell activation before intracellular staining in order to induce accumulate a detectable amount of cytokine without releasing it. These are often essential reagents that allow intracellular detection of cytokines that would otherwise be in too low abundance to detect. Specific information about the use of Monensin and Brefeldin A can be found on their respective technical Data Sheets.
These are critical chemicals for inclusion in cell cultures during cell activation prior to analysis by flow cytometry for the presence of intracellular chemokines and cytokines. Monensin (cat. 00-4505) and Brefeldin A (cat. 00-4506) are protein transport inhibitors that block secretion of proteins by cells via the golgi apparatus, thereby causing an accumulation of cytokines at the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi. Cells are often incubated with either of these two chemicals during cell activation in order to promote the accumulation of detectable protein levels within the cell. These are often essential reagents that allow intracellular detection of proteins that would otherwise be in too low in abundance to detect. Monensin is known to block the transport from the medial to the trans cisternae of the Golgi stack. Brefeldin A has been reported to block protein transport from the ER. Specific information about the use of Monensin and Brefeldin A can be found on their respective technica
