Applying both peptide and fluorescent dye technologies, AnaSpec has developed an ultra-sensitive HCV NS3/4A protease Fret substrate that can detect presence of HCV NS3/4A protease at <0.1pmol
NS3/4A protease is the protease responsible for the cleavage of HCV nonstructural polyprotein at the NS3-NS4A, NS4A-NS4B, NS4B-NS5A, and NS5A-NS5B sites.
Since these cleavages are essential for the maturation of the viral proteins, this protease has become one of the key targets for developing anti-HCV drugs.
Focusing on this particular protease, AnaSpec has developed an innovative new tool for optimised detection performance.
Applying both peptide and fluorescent dye technologies, AnaSpec has developed an ultra-sensitive HCV NS3/4A protease Fret substrate that can detect the presence of HCV NS3/4A protease at levels of <0.1pmol.
Based on the peptide sequence, Ac-DED(EDANS)EE-Abu-[y,COO]ASK(DABCYL)-NH2, developed by Taliani et al, the donor and the quencher have been substituted with 5-Fam and the company's trademark quencher QXL 520, respectively.
This substrate, Ac-DE-DAP(QXL520)-EE-Abu-[y,COO]AS-C(5-FAMsp)-NH2, shows a 22-fold lower Km than the EDANS/DABCYL peptide.
