Caspases are intracellular proteases and key initiators and effectors of apoptosis. Here the authors describe fluorescently labeled activity-based probes that allow the noninvasive in vivo monitoring of the kinetics of caspase activity. Approaches to optimize the probes to enhance their specificity and increase uptake into apoptotic cells are outlined, and their use in tracking the early stages of apoptosis in two mouse models (dexamethasone and the monoclonal antibody Apomab) is demonstrated.
- Laura E Edgington
- Alicia B Berger
- Matthew Bogyo
