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Molecular Pathology : MP logoLink to Molecular Pathology : MP
. 1998 Aug;51(4):222–224. doi: 10.1136/mp.51.4.222

A sensitive fluorescent assay for measuring the cysteine protease activity of Der p 1, a major allergen from the dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.

O Schulz 1, H F Sewell 1, F Shakib 1
PMCID: PMC395641  PMID: 9893750

Abstract

The potent allergenicity of Der p 1, a major allergen of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, is thought to be related to its cysteine protease activity. Therefore, there is considerable interest in developing a sensitive assay for measuring Der p 1 activity to screen for specific inhibitors. This study demonstrates for the first time that the activity of Der p 1 can be measured conveniently in a continuous rate assay with the fluorogenic substrate Boc-Gln-Ala-Arg-AMC (K(m) = 280 microM and kcat/K(m) = 4.6 x 10(3)/M/s).

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Selected References

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