Far-Red Fluorescent FLICA® 660 Caspase-1 (YVAD) Assay Kit

This in vitro assay employs the far-red fluorescent inhibitor probe 660-YVAD-FMK to label active caspase-1 enzyme in living cells. Analyze samples using fluorescence microscopy, or flow cytometry.



SKU: 9122

Size: 25-51 Tests
Price:
Sale price$256.50

Our FLICA® probes are cell permeant noncytotoxic Fluorescent Labeled Inhibitors of CAspases that covalently bind with active caspase enzymes. We have developed a far-red excitation and emission spectra FLICA® 660 probe for the detection of cells bearing active caspase-1.

As a part of the pathway to process inflammatory precursors, activation of caspase-1 represents one of many roles caspases have in cellular function and differentiation outside of apoptosis. Exposure of inflammatory effector cells like monocytes and macrophages to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS), such as viral or bacterial DNA or RNA and bacterial cell wall components like LPS, will typically trigger conformational changes in NACHT leucine-rich repeat protein family (NLRP) proteins. This leads to oligomerization and assembly of a high molecular weight (~700 kDa) multimeric inflammasome complex, which leads to the conversion of pro-caspase-1 into the catalytically active form. Caspase-1, or interleukin-converting enzyme (ICE), proteolytically converts the proforms of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-18 in monocytes and macrophages. Please note that macrophages and monocytes have been shown to rapidly secrete caspase-1 upon activation.

Activated caspase enzymes cleave proteins by recognizing a 3 or 4 amino acid sequence that must include an aspartic acid (D) residue in the P1 position. Our FLICA® 660 caspase-1 inhibitor probe contains the preferred binding sequence for caspase-1, Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp (YVAD). It should be noted that the YVAD binding sequence is also recognized by caspases 4 and 5. The YVAD binding sequence is labeled at the amino terminus end with a far-red fluorescent 660 dye and linked at the carboxyl end to a fluoromethyl ketone (FMK) reactive entity. The resulting cell permeant fluorescent molecule, 660-YVAD-FMK, optimally excites at 660 nm and emits between 685-690 nm. A conventional red HeNe laser with a 633 nm excitation provides excellent excitation efficiency, enabling cells labeled with FLICA® 660 to be analyzed with most flow cytometers and fluorescence microscopes equipped with electronic grey scale image capabilities.

Caspases, like most other crucial cell survival enzymes, are somewhat permissive in the target amino acid sequence they will recognize and cleave. Although FLICA® reagents contain the different amino acid target sequences preferred by each caspase, they can also recognize other active caspases when they are present. We encourage validation of caspase activity by an orthogonal technique.

To use FLICA®, add it directly to the cell media, incubate, and wash. FLICA® is cell-permeant and will efficiently diffuse in and out of all cells. If there is an active caspase-1 enzyme inside the cell, it will covalently bind with FLICA 660-YVAD-FMK and retain the far-red fluorescent signal within the cell. The caspase does not cleave the covalently-bound FLICA®, and becomes inhibited from further enzymatic activity. Unbound FLICA® will diffuse out of the cell during the wash steps. Therefore, positive cells will retain a higher concentration of FLICA® and fluoresce brighter than negative cells. There is no interference from pro-caspases or inactive forms of the enzyme. After labeling with FLICA®, cells can be counter-stained with other reagents and fixed or frozen.

FLICA® is for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

660-VAD-FMK
Caspase 1
660 nm / 690 nm
Flow cytometry, Fluorescence microscope
Cell culture
2-8°C
Domestic: Overnight Delivery; International: Priority Shipping
United States
  1. Prepare samples and controls.
  2. Dilute 10X Cellular Wash Buffer 1:10 with diH20.
  3. Reconstitute FLICA with 50 µL DMSO.
  4. Dilute FLICA 1:5 by adding 200 µL PBS.
  5. Add diluted FLICA to each sample at 1:30-1:60 (e.g. spike at 1:30 by adding 10 µL to 290 µL cultured cells).
  6. Incubate approximately 1 hour.
  7. Remove media and wash cells 3 times: add 1X Cellular Wash Buffer and spin cells.
  8. If desired, label with additional stains, such as Hoechst, DAPI, or an antibody.
  9. If desired, fix cells.
  10. Analyze with a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometer. FLICA 660 excites at 660 nm and emits at 680-690 nm.
  • FLICA Caspase-1 Reagent (660-YVAD-FMK), 1 vial, #6323
  • 10X Cellular Wash Buffer, 15 mL, #6164
  • Fixative, 6 mL, #636
  • Kit Manual
  • Product Specific References

    PMID Publication
    38897422Russell-Guzmán, J, et al. 2024. Activation of the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway disrupts insulin-dependent glucose uptake in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant obese mice. Free radical biology & medicine, 187-198.
    38874515Liu, W, et al. 2024. Discovery of N-Substituted Acetamide Derivatives as Promising P2Y14R Antagonists Using Molecular Hybridization Based on Crystallographic Overlay. Journal of medicinal chemistry, 10233-10247.
    38510374Wang, X, et al. 2024. Lactobacillus Plantarum Promotes Wound Healing by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Pyroptosis Activation in Diabetic Foot Wounds. Journal of inflammation research, 1707-1720.
    38530976Su, X.J., et al. 2024. Exosomes Derived from Caerulein-Stimulated Pancreatic Acinar Cells Mediate Peritoneal Macrophage M1 Polarization and Pyroptosis via an miR-24-3p/MARCH3/NLRP3 Axis in Acute Pancreatitis. Pancreas.
    38428396Wang, Q., et al. 2024. The CARD8 inflammasome dictates HIV/SIV pathogenesis and disease progression. Cell, 1223-1237.e16.
    38341879Zhang, B., et al. 2024. 1,2-Dichloroethane induces testicular pyroptosis by activating piR-mmu-1019957/IRF7 pathway and the protective effects of melatonin. Environment international, 108480.
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    38189627Pu, C., et al. 2024. Low-Dose Chemotherapy Preferentially Shapes the Ileal Microbiome and Augments the Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade by Activating AIM2 Inflammasome in Ileal Epithelial Cells. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), e2304781.
    37998361Spurlock, M., et al. 2023. The Inflammasome-Dependent Dysfunction and Death of Retinal Ganglion Cells after Repetitive Intraocular Pressure Spikes. Cells.
    37894824Leinardi, R., et al. 2023. Distinct Pro-Inflammatory Mechanisms Elicited by Short and Long Amosite Asbestos Fibers in Macrophages. International journal of molecular sciences, .
    37123216Li, H., et al. 2023. Heme oxygenase‑1 inhibits renal tubular epithelial cell pyroptosis by regulating mitochondrial function through PINK1. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 213.
    37093343Liang, M.Q., et al. 2023. LncRNA SNHG3 Promotes Sevoflurane-Induced Neuronal Injury by Activating NLRP3 via NEK7. Neurochemical research.
    37182453Yan, C., et al. 2023. Endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes caspase-1-dependent acinar cell pyroptosis through the PERK pathway to aggravate acute pancreatitis. International immunopharmacology, 110293.
    37356296Mikolajczyk-Martinez, A., et al. 2023. Unraveling the Role of Type 1 Fimbriae in Salmonella Pathogenesis: Insights from a Comparative Analysis of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Gallinarum. Poultry Science, 102833.
    37602503Zou, H., et al. 2023. C/EBPβ isoform-specific regulation of podocyte pyroptosis in lupus nephritis-induced renal injury. The Journal of pathology.
    37556724Torraca, V., et al. 2023. Shigella serotypes associated with carriage in humans establish persistent infection in zebrafish. The Journal of infectious diseases.
    35151118Zhang, C., et al. 2022. Targeting NLRP3 Signaling by a Novel-designed Sulfonylurea Compound for Inhibition of Microglial Inflammation. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 116645.
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    35835255Bertoni, A., et al. 2022. Spontaneous NLRP3 inflammasome-driven IL1-β secretion is induced in severe COVID-19 patients and responds to anakinra treatment. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology.
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    Question: FLICA 660 optimally excites at 660 nm and has a peak emission at 685-690 nm, and Propidium Iodide excites at 615nm. Can I use the FLICA 660 and the Propidium Iodide to detect pyroptosis by Flow cytometry?

    Answer: We have done some two-color panels pairing FLICA 660 with green emission fluors, however, we have not evaluated it alongside Propidium Iodide. That said, despite emission spectra overlap between Propidium Iodide and 660-YVAD-FMK I believe it should be possible to resolve the red vs far red fluors with appropriate compensation. I wanted to make you aware of Green Live/Dead Stain, ICT’s membrane impermeant green fluorescent vital stain for differentiating live and dead cells. This product performs similarly to Propidum Iodide, however, due to its green emission properties, it is compatible with our FLICA 660 products without the need for compensation.

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