AnaSpec Introduces Industry’s Longest Wavelength Assay Kit for TACE Detection

San Jose, CA, August 28, 2007 --(PR.com)-- This week AnaSpec introduced the SensoLyteTM 520 TACE Assay Kit, offering fluorescence detection at the industry’s longest wavelengths. With higher fluorescence quantum yield and longer emission wavelength, this kit shows less autofluorescence interference from test compounds and cellular components, and provides greater assay sensitivity than comparable kits using shorter-wavelength FRET substrates.

The SensoLyte™ 520 TACE Activity Assay Kit uses a FRET peptide substrate for the continuous measurement of enzyme activity. The FRET pair is composed of 5-FAM (5-carboxyfluorescein) and QXL™ 520, one of AnaSpec’s proprietary fluorescence quenchers. In the intact FRET peptide, the fluorescence of 5-FAM is quenched by QXL™ 520. Upon cleavage of the FRET peptide by the active enzyme, the fluorescence of 5-FAM is recovered, and can be continuously monitored at excitation/emission = 490 nm/520 nm. Packaged in a convenient 96-well format, the kit can be used to detect the activity of TACE or screen for TACE inhibitors.

Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) Converting Enzyme (TACE), also called ADAM17 or β-Secretase belongs to the ADAM (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease) family of proteins involved in myogenesis, neurogenesis, fertilization through the ectodomain shedding of cell surface proteins.1 TACE plays a crucial role in acute and chronic inflammation. Since it is a crucial mediator in the inflammatory process, considerable efforts have been made in the research and development of anti-TNF-α agents, for the purpose of reducing the severity of inflammatory responses in disease states.2,3 The inhibition of TACE by a pharmacological agent may represent an alternative approach to modulate the effect of TNF-α.4 TACE is also responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein, L-selectin, transforming growth factor-α.1,5,6

Company Info

AnaSpec, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research institutions throughout the world. With a vision for innovation through synergy, AnaSpec focuses on three core technologies: peptides, detection reagents (dyes, assay kits, & antibodies), and combinatorial chemistry. Established in 1993, AnaSpec's ISO9001:2000 certified headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in San Jose, CA.

For more information, visit www.anaspec.com

References:
1. Peschon, JJ. et al. Science 282, 1281 (1998).
2. Feldman, M. et al. Transplant Proc. 30, 4126 (1998).
3. Siegel, SA. et al. Cytokine 7, 15 (1995)
4. Levin, JI. et al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 13, 2799 (2003).
5. Buxbaum, JD. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 273, 27765 (1998).
6. Smalley, DM. and Ley, K. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 9, 255 (2005).

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