Calpain
Calpains are a family of calcium-activated cysteine proteases. They convert Ca2+
signaling by modulating biological activities of their substrates through
limited proteolysis.
Calpains are implicated in numerous calcium-regulated cellular processes
including cell motility, cell-cycle progression, cell proliferation,
apoptosis, necrosis, differentiation, membrane fusion and platelet activation.
They are also thought to be involved in numerous pathologies, such as
Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. As such, they became significant
pharmacological targets.
Fluofarma’s DAPs Calpain biosensor is the most sensible technology to
assess compounds effects on calpains activity.
Calpain biosensor
Fluofarma’s proprietary calpain biosensor is a chimeric construct based on a GFP-like reporter linked to a mitochondrial anchorage probe by a peptide specifically cleaved by activated calpain. Our specific biosensor allows the assessment of calpain activity as it induces relocation of the fluorescence signal from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm.
Biosensor in action
When calpains are maintained inactive, the fluorescent biosensor protein is located at the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and its fluorescence remains in the cell after plasma membrane permeabilization. In contrast, when calpain is active, the biosensor is cleaved; the GFP-like protein relocates to the cytoplasm and the fluorescence is lost after the permeabilization plasma membrane. The number of fluorescent cells in a given condition provides a quantitative measure of calpain activity.
Breaking news
High Content Analysis 2012
Fluofarma will be attending the High Content Analysis 2012 in San Francisco, from January 9th to 12th. We look forward to seeing you at our booth (n° 34) and your are welcome the 11th at the « Luncheon Technology Showcase: High-Content Data Analysis » where Fluofarma will present CytoSurfe®r. An innovative and intuitive software application for High content image analysis.Read more [+]
Scientific Publication
Fluofarma is glad to announce a new scientific publication in the journal "The American Journal of Pathology".Read more [+]