Caspase-3 Activity Assay Services for Stroke Drug Discovery & Development

Introduction to the Role of Caspase-3 in Stroke

The important role of caspases in programmed neuronal death has been demonstrated in a variety of CNS disorders, including stroke. Caspase-3 is a major executioner caspase and has been identified as a key mediator of neuronal death in the acute stage of stroke. Acute inhibition of caspase-3 provides robust protection of neurons against ischemic and traumatic cell death. However, caspase-3 activation is also involved in a variety of biological processes that do not lead to cell death. Caspase-3 serves as a key endogenous component that negatively regulates neurogenesis after stroke. Caspase-3 inhibition may be a potential way to expand the brain's neurogenic capacity to repair damaged tissues after stroke.

Fig. 1. Increased expression of caspase-3 in the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus during the period of stroke recovery. (Fan et al., 2014)

Custom Caspase-3 Activity Assay Services

Based on the in vitro model of ischemic stroke through the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) method, Ace Therapeutics offers highly sensitive and reliable in vitro caspase-3 activity assay services designed for stroke drug discovery. The assay quantifies apoptosis levels in living neuronal cells and enables the evaluation of potential stroke drugs.

Colorimetric Determination of Caspase-3 Activity

Ace Therapeutics's caspase-3 colorimetric activity assay service provides a simple and convenient method to determine the caspase activity of the recognition sequence DEVD.

• We quantify free pNA using a spectrophotometer or a microtiter plate reader.
• The pNA absorbance of test compounds is compared to an uninduced control to assess caspase-3 activity.

Fluorometric Determination of Caspase-3 Activity

To assess caspase 3 activity, we use a fluorescent caspase-3 detection dye that specifically binds to the active caspase-3 enzyme.

• We incubate the test compounds with the cells to simulate conditions associated with stroke.
• At the end of the incubation period, the fluorescent caspase-3 detection dye is added to the samples.
• We finally measure the fluorescence intensity in an automated fluorescence image platform. The resulting data, expressed as fluorescence intensity, can be analyzed to determine caspase-3 activity levels.
• Comparing the fluorescence signals of the test compounds with those of the control samples allows us to assess the efficacy of potential stroke drugs to inhibit caspase-3 activation.

Our Advantages

• Our experienced team follows standardized procedures and uses quality-controlled reagents, ensuring reproducible and reliable results.
• Our caspase-3 activity assays can be performed on a variety of cell types and tissue samples relevant to stroke research.
• Our assay can be adapted to a high-throughput format, enabling the simultaneous evaluation of a large number of potential stroke drugs.

Ace Therapeutics's in vitro caspase-3 activity assay provides customers with a powerful tool to analyze the exact role of caspase-3 in stroke and evaluate potential stroke drugs. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Fan W, et al. Caspase-3 modulates regenerative response after stroke. Stem Cells. 2014 Feb;32(2):473-86.