The ApoAlert Caspase Assay Kits provide a simple and convenient way to detect caspase protease activity using fluorometric or colorimetric methods. We offer caspase detection assays in two formats: assay kits and 96-well plates. The assay kits detect caspase activation by assaying for the cleavage of a fluorescent or a colorimetric substrate. The entire protocol—from collection of cells to fluorometric or colorimetric results—takes only 90 minutes.
Caspase Colorimetric Assay Kits & Caspase Fluorescent Assay Kits
The caspase colorimetric assays (Caspase-3 and -8 Colorimetric Assays) measure the proteolytic cleavage of the chromophore p-nitroanilide (pNA) by caspase-3 or -8. Liberated pNA can be monitored colorimetrically by absorbance at 405 nm.
The Caspase-9/6 Fluorescent Assay detects the shift in fluorescence of 7- amino-4-methoxy coumarin (AMC). Upon cleavage, AMC fluorescence can be measured using a 380-nm excitation filter and a 460-nm emission filter. Fluorescence detection is highly sensitive and can be used to measure even very small amounts of active caspase.
The Caspase-3 and -8 Fluorescent Assays detect the shift in fluorescence emission of 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin (AFC). After the substrate is cleaved by the protease, AFC emits a yellow-green fluorescence at 505 nm if excited at 400 nm.
Caspase Assay Plates
Oftentimes, depending upon the specific cell type as well as the apoptotic stimuli used, one or more caspases will become activated. The ApoAlert Caspase Profiling Assay Plate can be used to simultaneously analyze several different caspases in your sample, with up to 24 wells available for each caspase.
The ApoAlert Caspase Profiling Plate measures the activation of four different caspases (caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9) using a fluorometric method in a convenient 96-well format. Caspase profiling plates make it easy to profile caspase activities in a variety of cell lines after treatment with different apoptotic stimuli.
The ApoAlert Caspase-3 Assay Plate provides a convenient way to monitor caspase-3 activity in up to 96 samples at once. No handling of caspase substrates is required, allowing for easy detection of caspase-3 activity in a variety of samples. Caspase-specific inhibitors are included for your control needs.
No Substrate Handling Required
Testing samples is easy because the fluorogenic substrates specific for particular caspases are already immobilized in the wells of our 96-well plates—eliminating the need for additional handling of caspase substrates. When cell lysate containing activated caspase is added to a well, the immobilized fluorogenic substrate is cleaved by the corresponding activated caspase, releasing a fluorescent product that can be easily detected using a standard fluorescence plate reader.
