UCLA researchers in the Department of Neurology have developed a novel method and assay of quantifying pS129-alpha-synuclein at high sensitivity and specificity using an electrochemiluminescence ELISA assay.
BACKGROUND:
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy are all synucleinopathies, which are diseases caused by self-assembly of alpha-synuclein into neurotoxic oligomers and aggregates. A specific form of alpha-synuclein phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129-alpha-synuclein) is present at high levels in these neurodegenerative diseases and is therefore used as a marker for diagnosis, diseases progression and treatment impact. Even though it is easy to detect pS129-alpha-synuclein using immunohistochemistry, it is difficult quantify it biochemically in tissue extracts or body fluids. This is because existing antibodies have variable sensitivities and specificities.
INNOVATION:
Researchers have developed a novel method of quantifying pS129-alpha-synuclein using commercially available electrochemiluminescence ELISA technology. This novel approach allows detection of pS129-alpha-synuclein with a sensitivity limit in the single pg/mL range, 1000-times more sensitive than commercially available color-based ELISA for pS129-alpha-synuclein.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Quantifying pS129-alpha-synuclein for clinical diagnosis
• Research in neurodegenerative diseases
• Clinical trials recruiting
• Disease progression and treatment impact assessment
ADVANTAGES:
• Highly sensitive
• Highly specific
• Compatible with tissue extracts and body fluids
• Easily created and reproduced