摘要 |
The novel methods of the invention involve use of particular homocysteinase enzymes that permit the determination of homocysteine concentrations in biological samples without interference from the concentrations of cysteine and/or of methionine that are routinely present in such samples. There is also provided a diagnostic kit for use in determining the amount of homocysteine in a biological sample comprising (a) a homocysteinase having the aformentioned characteristics, and (b) at least one reagent capable of being used to determine the amount of product formed in the homocysteinase reaction. In a further aspect, the homocysteinase is provided as a chimeric molecule that comprises amino acid subsequences derived from, or patterned on, more than one homocysteinase, and which is typically produced from a chimeric polynucleotide that encodes therefor. Additional enhancements in homocysteine assay methodology include use of the enzyme gamma -glutamylcysteine synthetase to further limit any interference from cysteine present in the biological samples. |
申请人 |
ANTICANCER, INC.;TAN, YUYING;LENZ, MARTIN;PERRY, ANDREW, W.;HOFFMAN, ROBERT, M. |
发明人 |
TAN, YUYING;LENZ, MARTIN;PERRY, ANDREW, W.;HOFFMAN, ROBERT, M. |