Annexin V is a Ca2 -dependent phospholipid-binding protein which specifically binds phosphatidylserine (PS) Under normal conditions PS resides on the inner leaflet of the cell membrane lipid bilayer However during early apoptosis PS flips from the inner to the outer surface of the cell membrane exposing itself to the extracellular environment Annexin V exhibits high affinity for PS and can be labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) FITC-labeled Annexin V serves as a fluorescent probe allowing detection of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy The staining procedure only takes 10 20 minutes Propidium iodide (PI) binds specifically with double-stranded DNA and emits red fluorescence Normally PI cannot penetrate intact cell membranes However in late apoptotic and dead cells PI can enter through compromised membranes and stain the nuclei When Annexin V-FITC and PI staining are performed simultaneously cells at different stages of apoptos