CaspACE™ FITC-VAD-FMK In Situ Marker is a fluorescent analog of the pan caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone). The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) group has been substituted for the carbobenzoxy (Z) N-terminal blocking group to create the fluorescent apoptosis marker. This structure allows delivery of the inhibitor into the cell where it irreversibly binds to activated caspases. The FITC label allows for a single-reagent addition to assay for caspase activity in situ. The FITC-VAD-FMK is supplied as a 5mM solution in DMSO and is intended for in situ monitoring of caspase activity by fluorescence detection. The suggested concentration for use in anti-Fas-treated Jurkat cell culture is 10μM.
Features - Benefits
Simplify Your Protocol: Add FITC-VAD-FMK, incubate, wash and view fluorescence.
Use a Variety of Detection Methods: Detect apoptotic cells by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry; combine with other immunomarkers to assess cell populations or determine apoptotic frequency within a population; adaptable to high-throughput applications.
Get Results Faster: Quick, single-reagent addition to cell culture; no preparation of cell extracts or long incubation steps. Use as a preliminary screen for apoptosis.
Get Reliable Results: Synthesized peptide provides consistent results from every batch, unlike Annexin V, which can be highly variable between batches.
Use With Live Cells: Easily moves in and out of cells and remains anchored inside cultured apoptotic cells.
Applications
For more information, see the Protocols & Applications Guide.
References
Yang, T. et al. (2002) Can. Res. 62, 2583–91.
Elbaz, M. et al. (2002) Cell Death Diff. 9, 726–33.
Madeo, F. et al. (2002) Mol. Cell 9, 911–7.
Haiyan, Q. et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 15136–41.