Method for detecting and assaying exoglycosidase activity

摘要

A method for detecting and measuring exoglycosidase activity is presented. The method employs derivatives containing the fluorescent group 4-methylumbelliferyl ("4-Mu") at a pH lower than that conventionally employed. While the fluorescence intensity due to the 4-Mu group is considerably diminished at the lower pHs employed, the fluorescence intensity is still sufficient to continuously measure exoglycosidase activity in the activity range commonly assayed. The method is easily adaptable to high throughput enzyme assay systems and automated data analysis method. The method also provides a means to detect alterations in exoglycosidase activity that are independent of expression levels.