Anti-IdU antibody [OTI2F8] (ab187742)

Iododeoxyuridine (5-Iodo-2'-deoxyuridine, IdU) is a synthetic thymidine nucleoside analog. IdU, like BrdU thymidine analog, is used to allow the detection of growing or proliferating cells in living tissues. During the S-phase of cell division, DNA replication occurs, and IdU can be incorporated into the newly synthesized DNA by substituting for naturally occurring thymidine. Antibodies specific for IdU are subsequently used to detect the incorporated IdU thymidine analog. This highlights cells that were actively replicating their DNA and is suggestive of actively growing cells. Antibody binding usually requires the DNA to be denatured, typically by exposing the cells to acid or heat.