Abstract: The invention provides a sialidase enzyme activity detection kit or device comprising: (i) an indicator molecule comprising a sialylated peptide and a capture site; (ii) a capture zone comprising capture molecules; and (iii) binding molecules capable of binding to the de-sialylated derivative of the indicator molecule. Also provided are methods of using the kits or devices, as well as specific indicator molecules and specific binding molecules.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a chromogenic amino acid. The chromogenic amino acid is flanked by at least one amino acid to the N and C termini thereof. The amine group of the chromogenic amino acid has a pKa of less than 5. The chromogenic amino acid is capable of reacting with a conjugated aldehyde. The polypeptide comprises a target sequence for a target protease which is capable of cleaving the peptide bond comprising the amino group of the chromogenic amino acid.

Abstract: A peptide clearing agent is provided for clearance of a conjugate of an enzyme and a binding molecule which binds specifically at a target location from a non-target location in a subject. The peptide clearing agent binds the active site of the enzyme. The peptide also binds to the asialoglycoprotein receptor expressed by hepatic cells to facilitate clearance through the liver. The peptide may be glycosylated to facilitate clearance through the liver by binding to hepatic cells expressing an asialoglycoprotein receptor. Typically, the peptide prevents or inhibits enzyme activity upon binding to the enzyme and is not substantially modified by the enzyme activity. The peptide may be based upon the dipeptide amino-naphthoic acid (ANA)-glutamate (GIu) and may comprise the amino acid sequence serine (Ser)-Alanine (Ala)-amino-naphthoic acid (ANA)-glutamate (GIu). In such cases, the enzyme of interest is typically CPG2.

Abstract: An enzyme detection product for detecting the presence of an enzyme in a sample. The product includes: a reaction zone for receiving the sample; a visualization zone for presenting a signal in response to the detection of the activity of the enzyme; and a membrane. The membrane is interposable between the reaction zone and the visualization zone and prevents passage from the reaction zone to the visualization zone the components having a size greater than a threshold size. The reaction zone includes a reactant capable of reacting with the enzyme in order to generate a reaction product having a size less than a threshold size.

Abstract: An enzyme detection device (1) for detecting the presence, in a sample, of an enzyme capable of modifying a provided substrate (10). The device (1) comprises a substrate which has a modification region (14) that is sensitive to modification by the enzyme from an unmodified state to a modified state. The device (1) further comprises a substrate recognition molecule (16) which binds the modification region (14) in either the modified or the unmodified state. The modification region 14 of the substrate is preferentially bound by the substrate recognition molecule (16) as compared with the enzyme when mixed. The device further comprises a detectable label (18) coupled to the substrate recognition molecule (17).

Abstract: An enzyme detection device (1) for detecting the presence, in a sample, of an enzyme capable of modifying a provided substrate (10). The device (1) comprises a substrate which has a modification region (14) that is sensitive to modification by the enzyme from an unmodified state to a modified state. The device (1) further comprises a substrate recognition molecule (16) which binds the modification region (14) in either the modified or the unmodified state. The modification region 14 of the substrate is preferentially bound by the substrate recognition molecule (16) as compared with the enzyme when mixed. The device further comprises a detectable label (18) coupled to the substrate recognition molecule (17).

Abstract: A peptide clearing agent is provided for clearance of a conjugate of an enzyme and a binding molecule which binds specifically at a target location from a non-target location in a subject. The peptide clearing agent binds the active site of the enzyme. The peptide also binds to the asialoglycoprotein receptor expressed by hepatic cells to facilitate clearance through the liver. The peptide may be glycosylated to facilitate clearance through the liver by binding to hepatic cells expressing an asialoglyco-protein receptor. Typically, the peptide prevents or inhibits enzyme activity upon binding to the enzyme and is not substantially modified by the enzyme activity. The peptide may be based upon the dipeptide amino-naphthoic acid (ANA)-glutamate (GIu) and may comprise the amino acid sequence serine (Ser)-Alanine (Ala)-amino-naphthoic acid (ANA)-glutamate (GIu). In such cases, the enzyme of interest is typically CPG2.

Abstract: An enzyme detection product (1) for detecting the presence of an enzyme in a sample. The product (1) comprises: a reaction zone (16) for receiving the sample; a visualization zone (10) for presenting a signal in response to the detection of the activity of the enzyme; and a membrane (11). The membrane (11) is interposable between the reaction zone (16) and the visualization zone (10) and prevents passage from the reaction zone (16) to the visualization zone (10) the components having a size greater than a threshold size. The reaction zone (16) comprises a reactant capable of reacting with the enzyme in order to generate a reaction product having a size less than a threshold size.

Abstract: A binding assay product (1) for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising a labelling module (5), a label, a capture module (9) and a visualization module (10). The labelling module (5) comprises a first binding component capable of binding the analyte. The label is connectable to the first binding component. The capture module (9) comprises a second binding component capable of binding the analyte. The visualization module (10) is for detecting the first binding component connected to the label and bound to the second binding component via the analyte. The labelling module and the capture module comprise a fluid conducting medium in which the binding components are embedded. The labelling module (5), the capture module (9) and the visualization module (10) together define a flow path along which the sample is capable of flowing.

Abstract: An enzyme detection device (1) for detecting the presence, in a sample, of an enzyme capable of modifying a provided substrate (10). The device (1) comprises a substrate which has a modification region (14) that is sensitive to modification by the enzyme from an unmodified state to a modified state. The device (1) further comprises a substrate recognition molecule (16) which binds the modification region (14) in either the modified or the unmodified state. The modification region 14 of the substrate is preferentially bound by the substrate recognition molecule (16) as compared with the enzyme when mixed. The device further comprises a detectable label (18) coupled to the substrate recognition molecule (17).

Abstract: A method of detecting a protease in a sample. The method comprises providing an analyte degradable by the protease. The analyte is contacted with the sample. The degradation products of the analyte or the residual undegraded analyte is detected in a binding assay.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a chromogenic amino acid. The chromogenic amino acid is flanked by at least one amino acid to the N and C termini thereof. The amine group of the chromogenic amino acid has a pKa of less than 5. The chromogenic amino acid is capable of reacting with a conjugated aldehyde. The polypeptide comprises a target sequence for a target protease which is capable of cleaving the peptide bond comprising the amino group of the chromogenic amino acid.

Abstract: A protease detection product (1) for detecting a protease enzyme in a sample. The protease detection product (1) comprises a medium (2) providing a liquid flow path; a labelled component (6) located on the liquid flow path; a capture component (12) located downstream of the labelled component (6) and immobilisation means (8) for immobilising the intact labelled component. The labelled component (7) comprises a base element (8) connected to releasable element via a protease-sensitive linker peptide (9). The releasable element comprises a label (10). The capture component (12) is capable of binding the releasable element.

Abstract: An enzyme detection product (1) for detecting the presence of an enzyme in a sample. The product (1) comprises: a reaction zone (16) for receiving the sample; a visualization zone (10) for presenting a signal in response to the detection of the activity of the enzyme; and a membrane (11). The membrane (11) is interposable between the reaction zone (16) and the visualization zone (10) and prevents passage from the reaction zone (16) to the visualization zone (10) the components having a size greater than a threshold size. The reaction zone (16) comprises a reactant capable of reacting with the enzyme in order to generate a reaction product having a size less than a threshold size.

Abstract: A binding assay product (1) for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising a labelling module (5), a label, a capture module (9) and a visualisation module (10). The labelling module (5) comprises a first binding component capable of binding the analyte. The label is connectable to the first binding component. The capture module (9) comprises a second binding component capable of binding the analyte. The visualisation module (10) is for detecting the first binding component connected to the label and bound to the second binding component via the analyte. The labelling module and the capture module comprise a fluid conducting medium in which the binding components are embedded. The labelling module (5), the capture module (9) and the visualisation module (10) together define a flow path along which the sample is capable of flowing.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence encoding a decarboxylation enzyme E.G. PAD1 is used as a selectable marker in a recombinant organism. A weak acid is used as the selecting agent.

Abstract: A method of detecting a protease in a sample. The method comprises providing an analyte degradable by the protease. The analyte is contacted with the sample. The degradation products of the analyte or the residual undegraded analyte is detected in a binding assay.