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AnaSpec has announced the release of the SensoLyte 520 Calpain Activity Assay Kit, the industry’s first longest wavelength FRET based calpain assay. Optimized for detecting calpain activity, this kit contains a novel internally quenched 5-FAM/QXLTM 520 FRET substrate. Cleavage of this FRET substrate generates two separate fragments. The subsequent release of 5-FAM fluorescence can be monitored at excitation/emission= 490/520 nm. Increase in fluorescence is proportional to the calpain activity. The assay can detect both calpain 1 (m) and 2 (m) activities and is ideal for kinetic study of these enzymes. The long wavelength fluorescence of 5-FAM is less interfered by the autofluorescence of components in biological samples and test compounds.
Calpains are a family of intracellular cysteine proteases, which consists of at least 15 ubiquitous and tissue-specific isoforms.1 The best-characterized calpains are the isoforms µ- and m-calpain, which are also known as calpain 1 and calpain 2, respectively. Calpains are calcium-dependent and function by modulating the biological activities of many proteins through selective cleavage.2 Studies have demonstrated that calpains are implicated in a variety of calcium-regulated cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and platelet activation. Deregulation of calpains activities has been implicated in various pathological phenomena such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.3, 4 Calpains represent potential therapeutic targets for drug development.5, 6
An AMC based calpain assay, the SensoLyte® AMC Calpain Assay, is also available from AnaSpec.
References:
1. Goll, DE. et al. Physiol. Rev. 83, 731 (2003).
2. Suzuki K, et al. Diabetes. 53 Suppl 1, S12 (2004).
3. Zatz M, et al: N Engl J Med. 352, 2413 (2005).
4. Branca D. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 322, 1098 (2004).
5. Carragher NO. Curr Pharm Des. 12, 615 (2006).
6. Saez ME. et al. Drug Discovery Today 11, 917 (2006).
About AnaSpec
AnaSpec (anaspec.com) is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to the world’s largest biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic research institutions. With a vision for innovation through synergy, AnaSpec focuses on three core technologies: peptides, detection reagents, and antibodies.
AnaSpec recently joined forces with Eurogentec to provide an even broader spectrum of products and services to serve the worldwide life science community.
About Eurogentec
Eurogentec is a leading global supplier of innovative reagents, kits, specialty products and custom services to scientists in the life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and diagnostic markets. Eurogentec provides a wide range of expertize in small- and large-scale DNA, RNA, PCR and qPCR kits, peptide synthesis and antibody supply for research applications. Our ISO13485:2003-certified manufacturing facilities in Belgium provides a wide range of high value oligonucleotide-based components for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Eurogentec’s Belgium manufacturing facility is complemented by additional production facilities in North America and Japan. Eurogentec is also an experienced Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) for Biopharmaceuticals, operating a full-service, state-of-the-art GMP facility in Belgium.
Eurogentec is a privately held company headquartered in Liège, Belgium, with subsidiaries in North America, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland and has additional production facilities in North America, Japan and Singapore. Eurogentec employs 400+ people globally. For more information visit Eurogentec.com/.
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