AnaSpec Introduces SensoLyte™ Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kits

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 hampered by autofluorescence interference at lower wavelengths. AnaSpec has introduced a new series of SensoLyte™ Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kits to address the issue of autofluorescence interference.

According to Anaspec, the SensoLyte™ 520 Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kit offers Cathepsin D detection at the industry’s longest wavelength. Leveraging AnaSpec’s proprietary fluorescence technology, the SensoLyte™ 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 SensoLyte™ 520 Cathepsin D Activity Assay Kit utilizes a 5-FAM/QXL™520 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 SensoLyte™ 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).