Caspases are well recognized modulators of apoptosis, and caspase inhibitors are classical tools for inhibiting apoptosis. Z-VAD-FMK, first described in the 1990’s, continues to be the most widely utilized caspase inhibitor in the world; publications number in the thousands. The more recently developed Q-VD-OPH is designed for in vivo research and can also be used for in vitro research. The “OPH” trap has superior potency, cell permeability, minimal toxicity, and provides an alternative to the fluoromethylketone (FMK) family of inhibitors.
In addition to their well-known role of inhibiting apoptosis, it is increasingly being recognized that caspase inhibitors have interesting caveats. For example, inhibition of caspase activity may promote necroptosis, autophagy or a generic caspase-independent cell death. Hence caspase inhibitors are useful not only for studying apoptosis, but also for teasing apart cell death mechanisms on a broader scale. In short, caspase inhibitors are “still useful after all these years.”
Nordic BioSite offers a broad portfolio of caspase inhibitors and related tools for studying new areas such as Autophagy, Necroptosis, and established areas – Apoptosis or programmed cell death. Beside Caspase Inhibitors and Autophagy –related markers, our portfolio includes numerous antibodies and kits for analysis by multiple read-out platforms – Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, Immunohistochemistry and ELISA.
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