Elastase - Assay
Elastase Assay
Method: Derived from that of Feinstein et al. (1973) and using the more soluble substrate of Bieth et al. (1974). An increase in absorbance at 410 nm results from the hydrolysis of N-succinyl-L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Ala-p-nitroanilide (Suc Ala3NA). One unit hydrolyzes one micromole of Suc Ala3NA per minute at 25°C and pH 8.0 under the specified conditions.
- 0.1 M Tris buffer, pH 8.0
- 0.0044 M Suc Ala3NA substrate dissolved in Tris buffer. (2 mg/ml)
Prepare a one mg/ml solution in Tris buffer. Immediately before use dilute further to obtain a rate of 0.02-0.04 ΔA/minute.
Adjust the spectrophotometer to 410 nm and 25°C.
Pipette into each cuvette as follows:
Tris buffer 2.7 ml Enzyme 0.1 ml
Mix and incubate in the spectrophotometer 4-5 minutes to achieve temperature equilibration. To test cuvette add 0.2 ml of substrate, mix, and record increase A410 for 3-5 minutes. Calculate ΔA/minute from the linear portion of the curve.