Analysis of DFFA Gene (Mutation) by RT-qPCR (CAT#: STEM-MT-1297-LGZ)

Introduction

Official Full Name: DNA fragmentation factor subunit alpha
Also known as: DFF1; ICAD; DFF-45
Apoptosis is the cell death process that eliminates toxic and/or useless cells during mammalian development. The apoptotic process is accompanied by shrinkage and fragmentation of cells and nuclei and degradation of chromosomal DNA into nucleosomal units. DNA fragmentation factor (DFF) is a heterodimeric protein of 40-kD (DFFB) and 45-kD (DFFA) subunits. DFFA is a substrate of caspase-3, which triggers DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. DFF is activated when DFFA is cleaved by caspase-3. The cleavage fragment of DFFA is separated from DFFB, which is the active component of DFF. DFFB has been found to trigger DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation during apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified.