Ac-YVAD-CHO peptide

• Handling and Storage of Synthetic Peptides
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Batch to batch variation of the purity

Ac-YVAD-CHO is a synthetic tetrapeptide aldehyde that acts as a selective and cell-permeable caspase-1 inhibitor. The peptide contains an acetylated N-terminal tyrosine (Ac-Y) and a C-terminal aldehyde group (-CHO), which contributes to its inhibitory activity. Studies demonstrate that Ac-YVAD-CHO effectively attenuates caspase-1-mediated proteolytic processes, including the suppression of p53 upregulation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in neuronal cells. The compound does not influence IκB-α degradation or NF-κB activation, indicating its specific role in caspase-1-dependent apoptotic pathways.

Biochemical analyses reveal that Ac-YVAD-CHO competitively binds to the active site of caspase-1, blocking its cleavage of substrates such as pro-interleukin-1β. The inhibitor's structure, featuring the YVAD sequence, mimics the natural cleavage site recognized by caspase-1. This specificity makes it a valuable tool for investigating caspase-1-related signaling cascades, particularly in models of excitotoxic neuronal injury. The peptide's mechanism is independent of upstream events like IκB-α degradation, highlighting its targeted action within the apoptotic cascade.

• Cao Y, Gu ZL, Lin F, Han R, Qin ZH. Caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CHO attenuates quinolinic acid-induced increases in p53 and apoptosis in rat striatum. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2005 Feb;26(2):150-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2005.00525.x. PMID: 15663890.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a common counterion from the purification process using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The presence of TFA can affect the peptide's net weight, appearance, and solubility.

Impact on Net Weight: The TFA salt contributes to the total mass of the product. In most cases, the peptide content constitutes >80% of the total weight, with TFA accounting for the remainder.

Solubility: TFA salts generally enhance the solubility of peptides in aqueous solutions.

In Biological Assays: For most standard in vitro assays, the residual TFA levels do not cause interference. However, for highly sensitive cellular or biochemical studies, please be aware of its presence.