Released on: March 7, 2008, 9:18 am

Press Release Author: AnaSpec Inc.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: AnaSpec has introduced a new series of SensoLyteT Cathepsin D
Activity Assay Kits to address the issue of autofluorescence interference.

Press Release Body: San Jose, CA - March 7, 2008

While the detection of cathepsin activity plays a crucial role in the research of a
number of pathological processes, the sensitivity of traditional cathepsin assay
kits has been significantly hampered by autofluorescence interference at lower
wavelengths. AnaSpec has introduced a new series of SensoLyteT Cathepsin D Activity
Assay Kits to address the issue of autofluorescence interference.

The SensoLyteT 520 Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kit offers Cathepsin D detection at
the industry's longest wavelength. Leveraging AnaSpec's proprietary fluorescence
technology, the SensoLyteT 520 Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kit incorporates a FRET
substrate that fluoresces at a much higher wavelength than standard substrates. The
higher wavelength fluorescence results in cathepsin detection that avoids
autofluorescence interference from cell components and test compounds.

The FRET substrate in the SensoLyteT 520 Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kit utilizes a
unique 5-FAM/QXLT520 FRET pair (Ex/Em=490/520 nm upon cleavage). The sequence of
the FRET substrate is derived from the cleavage site of Cathepsin D. In the intact
FRET peptides the fluorescence of donors is quenched by acceptors. When active
Cathepsin D cleaves FRET substrate into two separate fragments, the fluorescence of
the donor is recovered, and can be monitored.

AnaSpec also offers the SensoLyteT 390 Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kit that uses a
traditional Mc-Ala/Dnp FRET peptide for measurement of enzyme activity
(Ex/Em=330/390 nm upon cleavage)

Cathepsin is a protease that breaks apart other proteins found in many types of
cells. There are at least 12 members of the cathepsin family which are distinguished
by their structure and the proteins that they cleave. Cathepsin D is the lysosomal
aspartic proteinase implicated in intracellular protein degradation.
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.

For more information, visit www.anaspec.com


References:

1. Berchem, G. et al, Oncogene 21, 5951(2002).
2. Liaudet-Coopman, E. et al, Cancer Lett. 237, 167 (2006).
3. Davidson, Y. et al, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat.77, 515 (2006).
4. Laurent-Matha, V. et al, J Cell Biol. 168,489 (2005).
5. Simon, DI. et al, Biochemistry 33, 6555 (1994).
6. Baechle, D. et al, J Peptide Sci. 11, 166 (2005).
7. Yasuda, Y. et al, J Biochem. 125, 1137 (1999)




Web Site: http://www.anaspec.com

Contact Details: AnaSpec Inc.
2149 O\'Toole Ave.
San Jose, CA 95131
1-408-452-5055 (Tel)
1-408-452-5059 (Fax)
1-800-452-5530
ping@anaspec.com
www.anaspec.com