NucView® 488 caspase-3 substrate is a novel cell membrane-permeable fluorogenic caspase substrate designed for detecting caspase-3 activity within live cells in real time.

• Real time caspase-3 detection in intact cells
• Allows visualisation of caspase-3 activity and apoptotic nuclear morphology at the same time
• Detection by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy or fluorescence microplate reader using fluorescein detection setting
• Compatible with standard fixation and permeabilisation methods for subsequent immunofluorescence staining

NucView® 488 caspase-3 substrate detects caspase-3 activity within individual intact cells without inhibiting caspase-3 activity. The substrate consists of a fluorogenic DNA dye and a DEVD substrate moiety specific for caspase-3. The substrate, which is both non-fluorescent and non-functional as a DNA dye, rapidly crosses cell membranes to enter the cytoplasm, where it is cleaved by caspase-3 to form a high-affinity DNA dye that stains the nucleus bright green.

The number of fluorescence microscopy assays that can be performed with the kit may vary based on the size of culture vessel and staining volume used. The kit provides a convenient tool for profiling apoptotic cell population based on caspase-3 activity by fluorescence microscopy, live cell imaging or flow cytometry.