Z-VAD-FMK

Z-VAD-FMK (Benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone) is a cell-permeable, irreversible, broad-spectrum pan-caspase inhibitor widely utilized as a research tool in cell biology and biochemistry. It works by covalently binding to the catalytic site of caspase proteases, thereby blocking caspase-dependent apoptosis, pyroptosis, and related proteolytic signaling pathways. While highly effective in preclinical models for mitigating apoptosis and inflammation, Z-VAD-FMK is primarily used as a research-use-only reagent due to limitations in target specificity, drug toxicity, and poor pharmacokinetic properties that hinder its clinical translation.

Other names

Z-VADZ-VAD(OMe)-FMKZ-VAD-FMKZ-Val-Ala-Asp-(OMe)-fluoromethyl ketoneZ-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketoneZVAD(OMe)-FMK