Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating or preventing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases are provided herein. Exemplary compositions include bacterial compositions having an effective amount of viable, non-pathogenic microbes, viable, non-pathogenic bacteria, wherein at least one of the bacteria is a predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. The disclosed bacterial compositions can be used to treat or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method of measuring the degradation of intact proteins includes a step of providing a protein substrate having one or more free or exposed carboxyl groups and then reductively attaching 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) to the protein substrate with a reducing agent. The protein substrate is contacted in a test solution with one or more proteolytic enzymes that degrade the protein substrate. The amount of AMC attached to the protein substrate is then determined by monitoring the fluorescence of free 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin that is formed during degradation of the protein substrate to protein fragments.

Abstract: A method of measuring the degradation of intact proteins includes a step of providing a protein substrate having one or more free or exposed carboxyl groups and then reductively attaching 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC) to the protein substrate with a reducing agent. The protein substrate is contacted in a test solution with one or more proteolytic enzymes that degrade the protein substrate. The amount of AMC attached to the protein substrate is then determined by monitoring the fluorescence of free 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin that is formed during degradation of the protein substrate to protein fragments.