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TF4-VAD-FMK

TF4-VAD is a red 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 TF4-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. The probe has the spectral properties similar to Texas Red®, thus the filter set of Texas Red® can be conveniently used with a flow cytometer or microscope.

Example protocol

AT A GLANCE

Important notes

It is important to store at <-15 °C and should be stored in cool, dark place.

It can be used within 12 months from the date of receipt. 

SAMPLE EXPERIMENTAL PROTOCOL

Following protocol only provides a guideline, and should be modified according to your specific needs.

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 (from Step 2.1) in Hanks with 20 mM Hepes buffer (HHBS).

  4. Mix equal volume of the treated cells with 2X caspase substrate assay solution (from Step 2.3), and incubate the cells in a 37°C, 5% CO2 incubator for at least1 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.

  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 TF4-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 mM113.894 µL569.47 µL1.139 mL5.695 mL11.389 mL
5 mM22.779 µL113.894 µL227.788 µL1.139 mL2.278 mL
10 mM11.389 µL56.947 µL113.894 µL569.47 µL1.139 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)
FAM-VAD-FMK493517
SRB-VAD-FMK [Sulforhodamine B-VAD-FMK]559577

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 November 23, 2024

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Catalog Number13471
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Physical properties

Molecular weight

878.01

Solvent

DMSO

Spectral properties

Correction Factor (280 nm)

0.436

Extinction coefficient (cm -1 M -1)

90000

Excitation (nm)

577

Emission (nm)

602

Quantum yield

0.771

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