Released on: May 1, 2008, 1:43 pm

Press Release Author: AnaSpec Inc.

Industry: Biotech

Press Release Summary: AnaSpec presented its latest findings in regards to the
detection of TACE activity using FRET technology.

Press Release Body: April 30, 2008 - St. Louis, MO

At the 14th Annual SBS Conference in St. Louis, MO, AnaSpec presented its latest
findings in regards to the detection of TACE activity using FRET technology. The
poster was entitled, "A Novel Fluorimetric Assay for the Detection of TACE
(α-Secretase)
Activity Using a Long Wavelength FRET Peptide Substrate".

TACE (TNF- α converting enzyme), also called ADAM17 or α-secretase, is
involved in myogenesis, neurogenesis, and fertilization through the process of
shedding of cell surface proteins. TACE is the predominant \'sheddase\' responsible
for the generation of soluble mature TNF.1 Considerable efforts have been made for
the research and development of anti-TNF- α agents to reduce the severity of
inflammatory responses in disease states. The inhibition of TACE by a
pharmacological agent may represent an alternative approach to modulate the effect
of TNF-α.2

To facilitate high throughput screening of TACE inhibitors, AnaSpec synthesized a
novel peptide substrate for TACE using QXLT 520/5-FAM FRET pair. Using this FRET
substrate, AnaSpec developed a new kit - the SensoLyteT 520 TACE Activity Assay.
This kit can be used to detect the activity of the enzyme and for screening of TACE
inhibitors. It is highly sensitive and can detect subnanogram amounts of enzyme.

Company Info
AnaSpec, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to
pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research institutions throughout the world.
AnaSpec focuses on three core technologies: peptides, detection reagents, and
combinatorial chemistry. Established in 1993, AnaSpec\'s headquarters and
manufacturing facilities are located in San Jose, CA.

For more information visit www.anaspec.com

References:
1. Moss, ML. et al. Nature 385, 733 (1997).
2. Levin, JI. et al. Bioor. Med. Chem. Lett. 13, 2799 (2003).





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