Caspase 3
The activation and execution of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is
triggered by different proteins. The caspases (cysteinyl aspartate-specific
proteases) stand out as being crucial for this process. It is well known that
the principal caspase involved in apoptosis execution is caspase 3. Caspase 3
can be activated by diverse death-inducing signals, including chemotherapeutic
agents.
Fluofarma’s caspase 3 DAP biosensor is the most precise and sensible
technology to assess caspase 3 activity.
The understanding of caspase 3 activity and manipulation, and thus of
apoptosis can allow therapeutic intervention in major diseases such as cancer,
heart disease, stroke, AIDS, autoimmunity, degenerative diseases, and others.
Caspase 3 biosensor
Fluofarma’s proprietary caspase 3 biosensor is a chimeric construct based on a GFP-like reporter linked to a mitochondrial anchorage probe by a peptide specifically cleaved by activated caspase 3 during apoptosis. Our specific biosensor allows the assessment of caspase 3 activity as it induces relocation of the fluorescence signal from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm.
Biosensor in action
When caspase 3 is maintained inactive (by a drug compound, for example), the fluorescent biosensor remains localized to the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and the cell keeps its fluorescence. In contrast, when caspase 3 is activated, the biosensor is cleaved; the GFP-like protein relocates to the cytoplasm and the fluorescence is lost after the permeabilization plasma membrane. The number of fluorescent cells in a given condition provides a quantitative measure of caspase 3 activity.
Breaking news
High Content Analysis 2012
Fluofarma will be attending the High Content Analysis 2012 in San Francisco, from January 9th to 12th. We look forward to seeing you at our booth (n° 34) and your are welcome the 11th at the « Luncheon Technology Showcase: High-Content Data Analysis » where Fluofarma will present CytoSurfe®r. An innovative and intuitive software application for High content image analysis.Read more [+]
Scientific Publication
Fluofarma is glad to announce a new scientific publication in the journal "The American Journal of Pathology".Read more [+]