Cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry

This manuscript reviews the utility of flow cytometry for the study of cell proliferation. The applications of univariate DNA distribution analysis to cytokinetic studies of asynchronous and perturbed cell populations are discussed briefly. The newly developed technique for simultaneous flow cytometric measurement of cellular DNA content and amount of incorporated bromodeoxyuridine is discussed in more detail. The cytochemistry required for this analysis is reviewed as are its applications to: (a) determination of the fractions of cells in the G₁-, S- and G₂ + M phases of the cell cycle; (b) determination of the G₁-, S- and G₂ + M phase durations and dispersions and growth fraction for asynchronous cells; (c) detection of ara-C resistant cells present at low frequency in an otherwise sensitive population; and (d) analysis of the cytokinetic response of a solid murine tumour to treatment in vivo with a cell cycle specific agent.