Released on: May 27, 2008, 9:00 am

Press Release Author: AnaSpec Inc.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: AnaSpec has introduced the SensoLyteT 520 Cathepsin S Assay
Kit to its broad collection of long wavelength FRET protease assay kits.

Press Release Body: San Jose, CA - May 27, 2008
Adding to a broad collection of long wavelength FRET protease assay kits, AnaSpec
has introduced the SensoLyteT 520 Cathepsin S Assay Kit.
The SensoLyteT 520 Cathepsin S Activity Assay Kit is a homogeneous assay that can be
used to detect the activity of Cathepsin S in biological samples or in purified
enzyme preparations. A unique long wavelength 5-FAM/QXLT 520 FRET peptide substrate
is used in this kit. When active Cathepsin S cleaves this FRET substrate, it results
in an increase of 5-FAM fluorescence, which can be monitored at Ex/Em = 490 nm/520
nm. The long wavelength fluorescence of 5-FAM is less interfered by the
autofluorescence of cell components and test compounds.
Cathepsin S is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase of the papain family. It plays a
major role in the degradation of the invariant peptide chain associated with the
major histocompatibility complex and thus affects antigen presentation.1, 2 Since
antigen presentation is the key to immune response, Cathepsin S has been validated
as an immunomodulatory target.3, 4 Cathepsin S is also involved in several
pathologies including atherosclerosis, cancer, obesity and their associated
diseases.5-9
AnaSpec also provides the SensoLyte 440 Cathespsin S Activity Assay Kit. The
substrate used in this kit releases the AMC (7-amino-4-methylcoumarin) fluorophore
upon Cathepsin S cleavage. AMC has bright blue fluorescence that can be detected
with excitation at 354 nm and emission at 442 nm.
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. Honey, K and AY. Rudensky, Nat. Rev. Immunol. 3, 472 (2003).
2. Hsieh, CS. et al, J. Immunol. 168, 2618 (2002).
3. Gupta, S. et al, Expert Opin. Ther. Targets 12, 291 (2008).
4. Thurmond, RL et al, Curr. Opin. Investi.g Drugs 6, 473 (2005).
5. Sukhova, GK. et al, J. Clin. Invest. 111, 897 (2003).
6. Taleb, S. et al, FASEB J. 19, 1540 (2005).
7. Liu, J. et al, Atherosclerosis 186, 411 (2006).
8. Taleb, S. et al, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 91, 1042 (2006).
9. Wang, B. et al, J. Biol. Chem. 281, 6020 (2006).










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