Caspases are a family of protease enzymes that play essential roles in programmed cell death, termed apoptosis. Caspase-3 is a caspase protein that interacts with caspase-8 and caspase-9 and sequential activation of plays a central role in the execution-phase of cellular apoptosis.The BioTracker NucView 488 Green Caspase-3 Dye provides a convenient live cell tool for profiling apoptotic cell populations based on caspase-3/7 activity using either fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry. In contrast to other fluorogenic caspase substrates or fluorescent caspase inhibitor based (FLICA) assays, the BioTracker NucView 488 Caspase-3 Dye can be used to detect caspase-3/7 activity within individual intact cells without inhibiting apoptosis progression. The substrate consists of a fluorogenic DNA dye coupled to the caspase-3/7 DEVD recognition sequence. The substrate, which is initially non-fluorescent, penetrates the plasma membrane and enters the cytoplasm. In apoptotic cells, caspase-3/7 cleaves the substrate, releasing the high-affinity DNA dye, which migrates to the cell nucleus and stains DNA with bright green fluorescence. Thus, NucView 488 Caspase-3 Substrate is bifunctional, allowing detection of caspase-3/7 activity and visualization of morphological changes in the nucleus during apoptosis. The dye is formaldehyde-fixable and compatible with subsequent immunostaining. The dye is offered in DMSO and PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) formulations. The substrate in PBS is formulated for use in cells that are sensitive to DMSO toxicity.Spectral PropertiesAbsorbance: 500nmEmission: 530nm
Synonyms: Live cell imaging probe
Application: Research Sub CategoryLive Cell Dye
Legal Information: NucView is a registered trademark of Biotium Inc.