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FAM-VAD-FMK

FAM-VAD is a green fluorescent cell-permeable polycaspase inhibitor to target caspases 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, or 10. Once inside the cell, the inhibitor binds covalently to the active caspase, which produces a green fluorescence. When added to a population of cells, the FAM-VAD-FMK probe enters each cell and covalently binds to a reactive cysteine residue that resides on the large subunit of the active caspase heterodimer, thereby inhibiting further enzymatic activity. The bound labeled reagent is retained within the cell, while any unbound reagent will diffuse out of the cell and is washed away. The green fluorescent signal is a direct measure of the amount of active caspase present in the cell at the time the reagent was added. Cells that contain the bound labeled reagent can be analyzed by 96-well plate-based fluorometry, fluorescence microscopy, or flow cytometry. It works in diverse cell lines such as human, rodent and drosophila.

Example protocol

AT A GLANCE

Important      It is important to store at <-15 °C and should be stored in cool, dark place.
Following protocol only provides a guideline, and should be modified according to your specific needs.
It can be used within 12 months from the date of receipt.

SAMPLE EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL

General Solution Caspase Assays Using AMC, AFC, pNA, R110 and ProRed Substrates
  1. Prepare a 10 mM stock solution in DMSO.
  2. Prepare a 2X caspase substrate (50 µM) assay solution as the following: 50 µL substrate stock solution, 100 µL DTT (1M), 400 µL EDTA (100 mM), 10 mL Tris Buffer (20 mM), pH =7.4.
  3. Mix equal volume of the caspase standards or samples with 2X caspase substrate assay solution, and incubate the solutions at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
  4. Monitor the fluorescence using a fluorescence microplate reader, or absorbance using an absorbance microplate reader. 

Cell Caspase Assays Using Cell-Permeable FMK Caspase Probes
  1. Prepare a 2-5 mM stock solution in DMSO.
  2. Treat cells as desired.
  3. Prepare a 2X permeable caspase substrate (20 µM) assay solution by diluting the DMSO stock solution in Hanks with 20 mM Hepes buffer (HHBS).
  4. Mix equal volume of the treated cells with 2X caspase substrate assay solution, and incubate the cells in a 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator for at least 1 hour.
  5. Wash the cells with HHBS for at least once.
  6. Monitor the fluorescence intensity by a flow cytometer, a fluorescence microscope or a fluorescence microplate reader. 

Cell Caspase Assays Using Cell-Permeable FMK Caspase Probes (For #13470-13476 only)
  1. Prepare a 250X stock solution by adding 50 µL DMSO into the vial.
    Note     For Cat# 13484, prepare a 250X stock solution by adding 200 µL DMSO into the vial.
  2. Treat cells as desired.
  3. Add 250 X DMSO stock solution into the cell solution at a 1:250 ratio (such as 2 µL to 500 µL cells), and incubate the cells in a 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator for 1 hour.
  4. Wash the cells with HHBS for at least once.
  5. Monitor the fluorescence intensity by flow cytometer, fluorescence microscopy or fluorescent microplate reader. 

Calculators

Common stock solution preparation

Table 1. Volume of DMSO needed to reconstitute specific mass of FAM-VAD-FMK to given concentration. Note that volume is only for preparing stock solution. Refer to sample experimental protocol for appropriate experimental/physiological buffers.

0.1 mg0.5 mg1 mg5 mg10 mg
1 mM144.58 µL722.899 µL1.446 mL7.229 mL14.458 mL
5 mM28.916 µL144.58 µL289.159 µL1.446 mL2.892 mL
10 mM14.458 µL72.29 µL144.58 µL722.899 µL1.446 mL

Molarity calculator

Enter any two values (mass, volume, concentration) to calculate the third.

Mass (Calculate)Molecular weightVolume (Calculate)Concentration (Calculate)Moles
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Spectrum

Product family

NameExcitation (nm)Emission (nm)
TF4-VAD-FMK577602
SRB-VAD-FMK [Sulforhodamine B-VAD-FMK]559577
FAM-LETD-FMK493517

Citations

View all 1 citations: Citation Explorer
Heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis prime-boost vaccination induces myeloid-derived suppressor cells with spleen dendritic cell--killing capability
Authors: Ribechini, Eliana and Eckert, Ina and Beilhack, Andreas and Du Plessis, Nelita and Walzl, Gerhard and Schleicher, Ulrike and Ritter, Uwe and Lutz, Manfred B
Journal: JCI insight (2019)

References

View all 26 references: Citation Explorer
Suppression of human T cell proliferation by the caspase inhibitors, z-VAD-FMK and z-IETD-FMK is independent of their caspase inhibition properties
Authors: Lawrence CP, Chow SC.
Journal: Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. (2012)
Inhibition of elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis by topical use of Z-VAD-FMK, a broad caspase inhibitor: experiment in mice
Authors: Li YY, Yan CL.
Journal: Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (2012): 1992
Structure of human caspase-6 in complex with Z-VAD-FMK: New peptide binding mode observed for the non-canonical caspase conformation
Authors: Muller I, Lamers MB, Ritchie AJ, Dominguez C, Munoz-Sanjuan I, Kiselyov A.
Journal: Bioorg Med Chem Lett (2011): 5244
Intracochlear perfusion of leupeptin and z-VAD-FMK: influence of antiapoptotic agents on gunshot-induced hearing loss
Authors: Abaamrane L, Raffin F, Schmerber S, Sendowski I.
Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol (2011): 987
Plasmodium falciparum metacaspase PfMCA-1 triggers a z-VAD-fmk inhibitable protease to promote cell death
Authors: Meslin B, Beavogui AH, Fasel N, Picot S.
Journal: PLoS One (2011): e23867
Page updated on December 17, 2024

Ordering information

Price
Unit size
25 Tests
100 Tests
Catalog Number
1347013484
Quantity
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Additional ordering information

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Physical properties

Molecular weight

691.66

Solvent

DMSO

Spectral properties

Correction Factor (260 nm)

0.32

Correction Factor (280 nm)

0.178

Extinction coefficient (cm -1 M -1)

83000

Excitation (nm)

493

Emission (nm)

517

Storage, safety and handling

H-phraseH303, H313, H333
Hazard symbolXN
Intended useResearch Use Only (RUO)
R-phraseR20, R21, R22

Storage

Freeze (< -15 °C); Minimize light exposure
UNSPSC12352200