FLICA™ Kits

Assess apoptosis, caspase activity, and necrosis in cultured cells with FLICA™

• Sensitive and early indicator of the initiation of the apoptotic process
• Distinguish apoptosis from necrosis
• Flexible analysis methods
• Green and red probes available
• Detect poly caspases or individual caspase enzymes

FLICA™ caspase detection kits provide an excellent method for in vitro detection of the presence of caspase activity in apoptotic cells. The membrane-permeant, fluorescent FLICA™ probes form covalent bonds with active caspase enzymes and are retained in cells undergoing the process of apoptosis. FLICA™ probes are not retained in non-apoptotic cells following a simple wash process. 

FLICA (Fluorescent Labeled Inhibitor of Caspases) caspase detection probes are comprised of an affinity peptide sequence, a fluoromethyl ketone (FMK) moiety that facilitates an irreversible binding event with the active caspase enzyme, and a fluorescent tag (either carboxyfluorescein or sulforhodamine B) reporter. Necrotic and late apoptotic cells can be concurrently identified with the red fluorescent propidium iodide vital dye, included in the green-fluorescing carboxyfluorescein FLICA™ kits, or with red fluorescent 7-AAD vital dye (available separately). The green or red fluorescent FLICA™ signal can be easily monitored using fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence plate reader analysis, or flow cytometry.