Test device for assays for hydrolytic enzyme activity
AssigneeLitmus Concepts, Inc.
InventorsPaul J. Lawrence, Aulena Churhuri, Terrence J. Andreasen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dry, self-contained test device for assaying for the presence of an enzymatically active hydrolase in a sample is disclosed. The test device combines a reporter enzyme immobilized on a solid support, an indicator, and all other reagents and components necessary to achieve a detectable indication of the presence or absence of the enzymatically active hydrolase in the sample. Preferred devices contain positive and negative controls as well.
Claims67
A test device for assaying for the presence of an enzymatically active hydrolase in a sample, said test device comprising:
- a receptacle defined at least in part by first and second opposing walls having interior facing surfaces with a gap therebetween, said first wall, said second wall, or both being of light transmitting material;
- a reporter enzyme whose enzyme activity causes a detectable change in an indicator, said reporter enzyme immobilized in dry form on a solid support on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls in such a manner whereby said reporter enzyme is released upon action of said hydrolase;
- an indicator contained in dry form on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls, said indicator being one which is susceptible to a detectable change upon action of said reporter enzyme but not susceptible to such action in the absence of a liquid sample containing said hydrolase in said gap;
- and
- an opening in said receptacle for introduction of said sample;
- said reporter enzyme and said indicator thus immobilized and contained, respectively, in the absence of said sample.
A test device for testing a sample for the presence of candidiasis by assaying for the presence of enzymatically active aspartic protease, said test device comprising:
- a receptacle defined at least in part by first and second opposing walls having interior facing surfaces with a gap therebetween, said first wall, said second wall, or both being of light transmitting material;
- a reporter enzyme whose enzyme activity causes a detectable change in an indicator, said reporter enzyme immobilized in dry form on a solid support on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls in such a manner whereby said reporter enzyme is released upon action of said aspartic protease;
- an indicator immobilized in dry form on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls, said indicator being one which undergoes a detectable change upon action of said reporter enzyme but not susceptible to such action in the absence of a liquid sample containing said hydrolase in said gap;
- and
- an opening in said receptacle for introduction of said sample;
- said reporter enzyme and said indicator thus immobilized and contained, respectively, in the absence of said sample.
A test device for assaying for testing a sample for the presence of an inhibitor of a target hydrolase, said test device comprising:
- a receptacle defined at least in part by first and second opposing walls having interior facing surfaces with a gap therebetween, said first wall, said second wall, or both being of light transmitting material;
- a target hydrolase contained in dry form on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls, said target hydrolase being susceptible to inactivation by the presence of said inhibitor;
- a reporter enzyme whose enzyme activity causes a detectable change in an indicator, said reporter enzyme immobilized in dry form on a solid support on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls in such a manner whereby said reporter enzyme is released upon action of said target hydrolase if said target hydrolase is not inactivated by the presence of said inhibitor;
- an indicator contained in dry form on said interior facing surface of one of said first and second walls, said indicator being one which is susceptible to a detectable change upon action of said reporter enzyme but not susceptible to such action in the absence of a liquid sample containing said hydrolase in said gap;
- and
- an opening in said receptacle for introduction of said sample;
- said target hydrolase, said reporter enzyme, and said indicator thus contained, immobilized and contained, respectively, in the absence of said sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.