Many existing immunocytochemical analyses of cell death proteins after ischemia are difficult to interpret because highly specific antibodies need to be used (many of the currently available antibodies to death proteins of the Bcl-2 family should not be used due to the lack of monospecificity). Furthermore, the function of cell death proteins of the Bcl-2 family relies on subcellular translocation, phosphorylation, and protein-protein interactions. More useful information could be obtained on the role cell death proteins after ischemia by analyses focusing on subcellular fractions, subcellular localization, phosphorylation status, and protein interactions.