posted 10-05-2009 06:01 PM            

AnaSpec, the provider of the ultra-sensitive SensoLyte® 520 Renin Assay Kit is pleased to announce the release of a rat renin specific assay – the SensoLyte® 520 Rat Renin Assay Kit. Using our proprietary 5-FAM/QXL™ 520 fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide, this assay is ideal for high throughput screening of renin inhibitors and for continuous assay of rat renin activity. In the intact FRET peptide, the fluorescence of 5-FAM is quenched by QXL™ 520. However, upon cleavage into two separate fragments by rat renin, the fluorescence of 5-FAM is recovered, and can be monitored at excitation/emission = 490/520 nm. With a high fluorescence quantum yield and long emission wavelength, the signal of 5-FAM can be detected with less interference from the autofluorescence of cell components and test compounds. The assays are performed in a convenient 96-well microplate format and can be adjusted to 384-well microplate format.

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays a central role in the regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte homoeostasis.1 At the first and rate-limiting step of the RAS cascade, renin, a highly specific aspartyl protease, cleaves angiotensinogen, produced in the liver, to yield angiotensin I, which is further converted into angiotensin II by ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme). Angiotensin II constricts blood vessels leading to increased blood pressure. It also increases the secretion of ADH and aldosterone, and stimulates the hypothalamus to activate the thirst reflex. Since an overactive renin-angiotensin system leads to hypertension, renin is an attractive target for the treatment of this disease. 2-4
References:
1. He, FJ. and GA. MacGregor, J. Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. 4, 11 (2003).
2. Wood, JM. et al., Hypertension, 7, 797 (1985).
3. Shibasaki, M. et al., Am. J. Hypertens. 4, 932 (1991).
4. Wood, JM.et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 308, 698 (2003).
5. Hui, KY.et al., J. Med. Chem. 31, 1679 (1988).

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AnaSpec is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to the world’s largest biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic research institutions. With a vision for innovation through synergy, AnaSpec focuses on three core technologies: peptides, detection reagents, and antibodies.

For more information visit www.anaspec.com

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