Caspase 8 human, >=90% (SDS-PAGE), recombinant, expressed in E. coli (C-terminal histidine tagged), buffered aqueous solution, >=1,000 units/mg protein

Synonyms: FLICE; MASH; Mch5

MDL No.: MFCD01865996

Purity: >=90% (SDS-PAGE)

Storage: -70C

UNSPSC Code: 12352204

General description: Human recombinant C-terminal histidine tagged caspase 8 is expressed as the truncated pro-caspase 8 (amino acids 213-496). It is a fully active protein consisting of 18 kDa and 12.4 kDa subunits; the 12.4 kDa subunit contains the histidine tag.

Biochem/physiol Actions: Caspase 8 is at the top of the hierarchy of the caspase cascade and is considered an initiator caspase. It exists in the cell as an inactive 55 kDa proenzyme. It is converted to the active form, consisting of 18 kDa and 11 kDa subunits, upon its recruitment to the cytoplasmic domain of activated death receptors such as CD95 or TNFR via the adapter protein FADD. The activation of the proenzyme is triggered by the protein's aggregation, which leads to auto- or transprocessing. Caspase 8 activates downstream caspases (caspases 3, 6, and 7) that cleave key cellular substrates and lead to apoptotic death of the cells.

Physical form: Solution in 10% sucrose containing 20 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM imidazole-HCl, pH 8.0, 20 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 500 mM NaCl, 2.5 mM EDTA, and 0.1% CHAPS.

Unit Definition: One unit will cleave 1.0 nmol of Ac-Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-pNA per min at pH 7.4 at 25 C.