NucView® 488 Caspase-3 Substrate detects apoptosis in intact cells based on caspase-3/7 activity using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, or live cell imaging.

• NucView® 488 dye has excitation/emission maxima of 500/530 nm (with DNA)
• Rapid, no-wash, endpoint or real-time assays
• Non-toxic, allowing multi-day experiments to be performed
• For flow cytometry, microscopy or live cell imaging systems
• Dual detection of caspase activity and nuclear morphology
• Formaldehyde fixable

NucView® substrates consist of a fluorogenic DNA dye coupled to the caspase-3/7 DEVD recognition sequence. The substrate, which is initially non-fluorescent, penetrates the plasma membrane and enters the cytoplasm. In apoptotic cells, caspase-3/7 cleaves the substrate, releasing the high-affinity DNA dye, which migrates to the cell nucleus and stains DNA with fluorescence. Thus, NucView caspase-3 substrates are bifunctional, allowing detection of caspase-3/7 activity and visualization of morphological changes in the nucleus during apoptosis. In contrast to other fluorogenic caspase substrates or fluorescent caspase inhibitor based (FLICA) assays, NucView® caspase-3 substrates can be used to detect caspase-3/7 activity within individual intact cells without inhibiting apoptosis progression. Staining is compatible with subsequent fixation and permeabilization for immunostaining.

NucView® 488 Substrate in PBS is formulated for use in cells that are sensitive to DMSO toxicity. The substrate also is offered as a 1 mM solution in DMSO (catalog no. 10402). In non-DMSO sensitive cell types, adding DMSO during the substrate incubation may enhance NucView® 488 staining.

We also offer blue fluorescent NucView® 405 Caspase-3 Substrate for use with the 405 nm laser line, and orange fluorescent NucView® 530 for imaging in the Cy®3 channel.