Marker Gene Monthly Newsletter   

June, 2003

Volume 3, Number 6

© Copyright MGT, Inc., 2007.  Published by Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., The University of Oregon Riverfront Research Park, 1850 Millrace Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 USA.  All rights reserved.  For information on the use or copying of the material contained in this document, please contact us at techservice@markergene.com.  Please see below for subscription information and updates.  This newsletter is labeled as an ADVERTISEMENT in accordance with the CAN-SPAM act of 2003, S.877 Public Law: 108-187.

New Chemiluminescence Kits

LacZ b-Galactosidase
	The Chemiluminescent lacZ ß-Galactosidase Detection Kit (M0855) allows for quantitative measurement of galactosidase enzyme activity in mammalian, yeast, and bacterial cells through use of a chemiluminescent substrate. Price: 1 kit $180.00(USD); 5 or more kits: inquire.
Overview:
One of the most common reporter genes used in molecular biology applications is the E. coli lacZ gene that codes for an active subunit of ß-galactosidase in vivo. Since this enzyme is generally absent in normal mammalian, yeast, some bacterial and even plant cells, it can be detected at very low levels, and due to its wide substrate specificity, monitoring lacZ expression (and therefore co-expressed genes or promoter efficiency) has become routine to the point of detection of as few as 5 copies of ß-galactosidase. Although chromogenic assays of ß-galactosidase activity (i.e. X-Gal) are useful, the recent application of chemiluminescent 1,2 Dioxetane substrates, which emit visible light upon enzyme catalysis, provide rapid results with very low background and high intensity signal. An enhancing solution is also provided with this kit to increase light production efficiency in solution-based assays by drawing water away from the signal production site. The Chemiluminescent lacZ ß-Galactosidase Detection Kit provides all the necessary reagents, buffers, substrate, and protocols for sensitive and quantitative lacZ ß-galactosidase activity assay. Please contact our technical services department for further information.
References:
Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes. Brij P. Giri, PCT/US99/20590. Novel stabilized formulations for chemiluminescent assays. Brij P Giri, PCT/US01/02779. Single molecule detection of Alkaline Phosphatase enzyme using enhanced chemiluminescent from 1,2-dioxetanes and water-soluble, water-insoluble or partially water-soluble polymers. Brij P Giri, US Patent Application, 2002/0013250. Deuterium-based chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes. Brij P Giri, Dinesh J Dagli, PCT application pending. Polymeric ammonium and or phosphonium salts having added p-electrons and higher molecular weight and enhancers for chemiluminescent systems. Brij P. Giri, US patent pending. Jefferson, R.A., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 86 (1986) 8447-8451. Jefferson, R.A., et al., EMBO J. 6 (1987) 3901-3907. Kosugi, S., et al., Plant Sci. 70 (1990) 130-140. Gallagher, S.R., et al., GUS Protocols: Using the GUS Gene as a Reporter of Gene Expression. (1992).

 

ß-Glucuronidase (GUS)
	The Chemiluminescent ß-Glucuronidase (GUS) Detection Kit (M0856) allows for quantitative measurement of GUS enzyme activity in mammalian cells, transformed plants, and purified enzyme assays through use of a chemiluminescent substrate. Price: 1 kit $210.00(USD); 5 kits inquire
Overview:
The ß-glucuronidase (GUS) enzyme from E. coli (EC 3.2.1.31) has been well documented to provide desirable characteristics as a marker gene in transformed plant and mammalian cells. The GUS reporter gene system has many advantages including stable expression of E. coli GUS enzyme, no interference with normal plant metabolism, and low intrinsic GUS activity in higher plants. The enzyme is also capable of tolerating amino-terminal additions, making it useful for study of plant organelle transport. Various ß-glucuronic acid substrates are available for detection of GUS expression, all of which contain the sugar D-glucopyranosiduronic acid attached by glycosidic linkage to a hydroxyl group of a chromogenic, fluorogenic or chemiluminescent molecule. Upon enzymatic hydrolysis, the sugar is removed, resulting in release of the detectable molecule, and levels of gene expression can be inferred from relative color, fluorescence or light emission levels. 1,2 Dioxetane substrates emit visible light upon enzyme catalysis, providing rapid results with very low background and high intensity signal. An enhancing solution is also provided with this kit to increase light production efficiency in solution-based assays by drawing water away from the signal production site. The Chemiluminescent ß-Glucuronidase Detection Kit provides all the necessary reagents, buffers, substrate, and protocols for sensitive and quantitative GUS activity assays. Please contact our technical services department for further information.
References:
Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes. Brij P. Giri, PCT/US99/20590. Novel stabilized formulations for chemiluminescent assays. Brij P Giri, PCT/US01/02779. Single molecule detection of Alkaline Phosphatase enzyme using enhanced chemiluminescent from 1,2-dioxetanes and water-soluble, water-insoluble or partially water-soluble polymers. Brij P Giri, US Patent Application, 2002/0013250. Deuterium-based chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetanes. Brij P Giri, Dinesh J Dagli, PCT application pending. Polymeric ammonium and or phosphonium salts having added p-electrons and higher molecular weight and enhancers for chemiluminescent systems. Brij P. Giri, US patent pending. Jefferson, R.A., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 86 (1986) 8447-8451. Jefferson, R.A., et al., EMBO J. 6 (1987) 3901-3907. Kosugi, S., et al., Plant Sci. 70 (1990) 130-140. Gallagher, S.R., et al., GUS Protocols: Using the GUS Gene as a Reporter of Gene Expression. (1992).

Neuraminidase (5NAcNeu)
	The Chemiluminescent Neuraminidase (5NAcNeu) (M0937) Detection Kit allows for quantitative measurement of this important enzyme activity in mammalian cells, virus infected cells and in purified enzyme assays through use of a chemiluminescent substrate. Price: 1 kit $210.00(USD); 5 or more kits inquire.
Overview:
Influenza epidemics are responsible for an average of approximately 20,000 deaths per year in the United States.  Neuraminidase is the second most abundant glycoprotein on the surface of influenza viruses.  Neuraminidase cleaves terminal sialic acid residues from carbohydrate moieties on the surfaces of host cells and influenza virus envelopes; this process promotes the release of progeny viruses from infected cells.  Zanamivir and oseltamivir, both approved in 1999 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are members of a new class of antiviral agents that selectively inhibit the neuraminidase of both influenza A and B viruses.  Marker Gene is introducing a new chemiluminescent substrate kit, along with our collaborators at Michigan Diagnostics, Inc.  For more information about these new reagents and assays and neuraminidase, see our web site and the references below.
References:
“New approaches to influenza chemotherapy: neuraminidase inhibitors.” Calfee DP, Hayden FG. Drugs (1998) 56: 537-553. “Influenza type A virus neuraminidase does not play a role in viral entry, replication, assembly or budding.”  Liu C, Eichelberger MC, Compans RW, Air GM. J. Virol. (1995) 69:1099-1106.  “Sialidosis: delineation of subtypes by neuraminidase assay.” O'Brien JS, Warner TG. Clin Genet. (1980) 17(1): 35-8.   “Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Treatment of Influenza A and B Infections.” Andrea G. Winquist, M.D., Keiji Fukuda, M.D., M.P.H., Carolyn B. Bridges, M.D., Nancy J. Cox, Ph.D.  MMWR December 17, 1999 / 48(RR14);1-9. “Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in children.” Matheson NJ, Symmonds-Abrahams M, Sheikh A, Shepperd S, Harnden A.  The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2003. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2003 Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 1-888-218-4062 ; all rights reserved.

 

Compare Our Quality. 

Marker Gene strives to offer our customers products of the highest quality and at the best possible prices.  Our years of experience allow us to provide timely products for less cost to you.  See our latest Price Comparison Chart that compares our prices with those from several alternate sources, to see if you can save money by switching to Marker Gene (http://www.markergene.com/crossref.htm).  Or visit our website at www.markergene.com and click on the link “COMPARE”.  We think you will appreciate our efforts to keep costs low and maintain excellent quality of our products for your research.  For more information about any of our products, simply telephone us toll free at 1-888-218-4062 or contact us by e-mail at techservice@markergene.com.  We will be happy to send you more about our products and their specifications.

CONTRACT  RESEARCH@markergene.com

Marker Gene Technologies, Inc. has the expertise to perform contract research with you on your project. We have worked with many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on successful, proprietary and patented projects.

Contract Research and Development Capabilities in the following areas:

• Established in 1993 at the University of Oregon Riverfront Research Park.
• Screening Assay Development for HTS and uHTS
• Chemical and Cellular Assays – High-Content Screening.
• DNA/RNA (genomics) and protein (proteomics) labeling and assay development.
• Pharmaceutical Intermediates - design, synthesis, and in vitro testing in mammalian cell culture.
• Specializing in Carbohydrate, Lipid, Peptide, and Nucleic Acid Chemistries.
• Fully equipped laboratories (Biochemistry, Chemical Synthesis, Tissue Culture, Analytical).
• Confidentiality, help in patent preparation and filings.

Contact us by telephone at (888) 218-4062 or (541) 342-3760 or FAX us at (541) 342-1960 or you can write to us at  Contract Research, Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., 1850 Millrace Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 or contact us by e-mail at: techservice@markergene.com

Marker Gene Accepts Major Credit Cards.

Place your orders now, using Master Card or Visa and save time and money!  Our Customer Assistance Staff can now accept either Master Card or Visa Credit Card orders, securely by telephone (toll-free) at 1-888-218-4062 (Domestic orders only).   We will continue to accept Institutional Purchase Orders for our products, online or by FAX at 1-541-342-1960.  International customers should contact us by e-mail, post or telephone for more information about International Distributors and ordering.  For information on pricing for individual products, or for a quote on bulk quantities of our products or kits, please contact our technical assistance staff at techservice@markergene.com.   We will be happy to assist you. 

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