Anaspec has introduced the Sensolyte Green Elastase Assay Kit, a FRET-based elastase-activity assay kit that employs natural substrate elastin labeled with the 5-FAM fluorophore and QXL 520 quencher.
Proteolytic cleavage of labeled elastin separates the donor from the quencher and yields brightly green fluorescence, which can be continuously monitored at excitation/emission (Ex/Em) = 488/520nm.
Increase in fluorescence intensity is directly proportional to elastase activity, the kinetics of which can be continuously measured.
The sensitive kit is homogeneous, meaning it does not require any separation steps.
Elastases catalyse the hydrolysis of elastin, the chief constituent of elastic fibres that together with collagen determines the mechanical properties of connective tissue.
Other natural substrates of elastases include proteoglycans, collagens and fibronectin.
Due to being implicated in many diseases such as pulmonary emphysema, cystic fibrosis, infections, inflammation and atherosclerosis, elastases are considered important drug targets.
Anaspec also provides another green-emitting elastase assay, the Sensolyte Rh110 Elastase Assay Kit.
This assay uses a substrate that is labeled with a fluorogenic dye called Rh110 (rhodamine 110).
Upon cleavage by elastase, the substrate generates free Rh110 fluorophore, which has a bright green fluorescence.
The longer wavelength spectra and higher extinction coefficient of this kit and the Sensolyte Green Elastase kits provide greater sensitivity and less interference from other reaction components.
