Released on = May 15, 2007, 3:01 pm

Press Release Author = AnaSpec Inc.

Industry = Biotech

Press Release Summary = While West Nile virus (WNV) has had significant outbreaks
throughout the world since it was first identified, commercially available assay
kits for the detection of WNV protease inhibitors had not been developed until now.


Press Release Body = May 14, 2007 - San Jose, CA

While West Nile virus (WNV) has had significant outbreaks throughout the world since
it was first identified, commercially available assay kits for the detection of WNV
protease inhibitors had not been developed until now. With the SensoLyteT series of
WNV Protease Assay Kits AnaSpec, a worldwide provider of integrated proteomics
solutions, has introduced the industry's first commercially available assay kits for
the detection of WNV protease NS3 inhibitors.

West Nile virus (WNV), from the family Flaviviridae,1 was first identified in the
West Nile district of Uganda in 1937.2 WNV outbreaks have been reported in Israel
in the 50's, France in the 60's and South Africa in the 70's.3 In 1999, the first
documented WNV infection in the US was reported in New York.4 The main route of
human infection is through infected mosquito bites. WNV infection can cause severe
neurological disease and fatalities in both human and animal hosts.

WNV contains a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome, which encodes three
structural proteins (capsid (C), membrane (M), envelope (E)), and seven
non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5).5, 6 NS3 protease
is essential (along with viral-encoded cofactor NS2B) for post-translational
processing of a viral polypeptide precursor in infected host cells. This
polypeptide provides the structural and functional viral proteins. Inhibition of
its processing could represent a potential treatment for viral infections. With no
effective vaccine or antiviral drug to protect against WNV infection,7 this protease
represents a potentially key target for developing anti-WNV drugs.8, 9

The SensoLyteT AMC West Nile Virus Protease Assay Kit provides a homogeneous assay
for high throughput screening of West Nile Virus protease NS3 inhibitors. Utilizing
a fluorogenic peptide, it provides continuous measurement and quantification of
protease activity.10 Depending on the kit, the peptide generates the AMC
(7-amino-4-methylcoumarin) or TAMRA fluorophore upon NS3 protease cleavage. AMC has
bright blue fluorescence that can be detected with excitation at 354 nm and emission
at 442 nm. TAMRA has red fluorescence that can be detected with excitation at 541
nm and emission at 568 nm.

R&D Manager, Dr. Rich Meyer, noted, "AnaSpec is committed to being a leader in the
development of novel assay kits for our customers. The introduction of our
SensoLyteT WNV Protease Assay Kits is representative of this dedication to
innovation."

There are two available versions of the SensoLyteT West Nile Virus Protease Assay Kits:
. SensoLyteT 440 West Nile Virus Protease Assay Kit
. SensoLyteT 570 West Nile Virus Protease Assay

For more information visit www.anaspec.com

###

Company Information

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.

References
1. Hayes, CG. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 951, 25 (2001).
2. Smithburn, KC, et al. Am J Trop Med. 20, 471 (1940).
3. Internet. http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/WNV.html, accessed April 13, 2007.
4. Klee, AL. et al. Emerg Infect Dis.10, 1405 (2004).
5. Brinton, MA. Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 56, 371 (2002).
6. Lanciotti, RS. et al., Science 286, 2333 (1999).
7. van der Meulen, KM et al., Arch. Virol. 150, 637 (2005).
8. Mueller, NH. et al., Int. J.Biochem.Cell Biol. 39(3), 606 (2007).
9. Shiryaev, SA. et al., Biochem.J 393, 503 (2006).
10. Chappell, KJ. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 281, 38448 (2006).



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

Contact Details = Ping Yang
ping@anaspec.com