|
|
|
Cathepsins are cysteine proteases involved in a number of stages of tumor development. In the September issue of Nature Chemical Biology, cathepsin activity is visualized in a cellular model of a tumor microenvironment. As a cellular safeguard, proteases are often generated in an inactive form and then processed to the active form only when the protein cutting activity is needed. Although there are many ways for detecting proteases, small molecules called "activity-based probes" that only react with active enzymes offer an important method for monitoring active proteases. Until now, using these probes for in vivo imaging has been difficult.
Matthew Bogyo and colleagues report a new method of fluorescence labeling of active proteases using activity-based probes. The authors chemically synthesized a molecule in which the fluorescence generated by one part of the molecule is "quenched"--or turned off--by another part of the molecule. When the probe reacts with an active protease, the quenching part of the molecule breaks off and a fluorescent signal can be seen. These probes were effective in imaging cathepsin in living cells. The probes may prove useful for monitoring cathepsin activity in live mice, and the design of similar quenched probes targeting other proteases will provide important tools for investigating proteolytic function in vivo. Author contact: Matthew Bogyo (Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA)
E-mail: mbogyo@stanford.edu Abstract available online. (C) Nature Chemical Biology.
Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza
|
|
Variants Associated with Pediatric Allergic Disorder
Mutations in PHF6 Found in T-Cell Leukemia
Genetic Risk Variant for Urinary Bladder Cancer
Antibody Has Therapeutic Effect on Mice with ALS
Regulating P53 Activity in Cancer Cells
Anti-RNA Therapy Counters Breast Cancer Spread
Mitochondrial DNA Diversity
The Power of RNA Sequencing
‘Pro-Ageing' Therapy for Cancer?
Niche Genetics Influence Leukaemia
Molecular Biology: Clinical Promise for RNA Interference
Chemoprevention Cocktail for Colon Cancer
more news ...
|