SpringerProtocols: Abstract: Caspase Activity Assays

Caspase Activity Assays

By: Andrew L. Niles², Richard A. Moravec³, Terry L. Riss⁴

Abstract

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Caspase activity assays in multi-well plate formats represent powerful tools for understanding experimental modulation of the apoptotic response. These assays are configured to exploit functional, biochemical, and temporal differences in substrate specificity and selectivity, which are useful in defining the magnitude and mechanism of a compound or treatment effect. New advances in fluorescent and luminescent chemistries now enable single addition “add-mix-measure” determinations of caspase activity directly in the sample plate with unprecedented sensitivity. Unlike other more cumbersome or laborious techniques, caspase activity induction or inhibition measures are quantifiable and definitive. The highlighted techniques in this chapter are cost efficient and allow for the rapid exploration of thousands of combinations and conditions.

Affiliation(s): (2) Promega Corporation, Madison, WI
(3) University of Washington, Seattle, WA
(4) Promega Corporation, Madison, WI

Book Title: Apoptosis and Cancer: Methods and Protocols

Series: Methods in Molecular Biology | Volume: 414 | Pub. Date: Oct-11-2007 | Page Range: 137-150 | DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-339-4_11

Subject: Cancer Research

Key Words: Caspase - activity - selectivity - cell based - induction - inhibition - fluorescence - luminescence

References

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