Cleaved Caspase-9 (Asp330) is an activated form of Caspase-9 that results from proteolytic cleavage at the Asp330 site. This cleavage is a critical step in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, where Caspase-9 is activated by the binding of cytochrome c to Apaf-1, leading to the formation of the apoptosome complex. The cleaved Caspase-9 then further activates downstream caspases such as Caspase-3 and Caspase-7, initiating a cascade that ultimately leads to apoptosis. This process is essential for the execution of programmed cell death in response to various cellular stresses and DNA damage.