Description
Introduction: Parkinson disease (autosomal recessive, early onset) 7, also known as PARK7, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the PARK7 gene. It is also known as DJ-1. PARK7 belongs to the ThiJ/Pfp1/DJ-1 superfamily of highly conserved proteins that function as protein chaperones, catalases, proteases and kinases. PARK7 acts as a positive regulator of androgen receptor-dependent transcription. It may also function as a redox-sensitive chaperone, as a sensor for oxidative stress, and it apparently protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death. The protein has been found to colocalize within a subset of pathologic tau inclusions in a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. Park7 is widely expressed in the brain as well as in peripheral tissues. It exists as a homodimer that can be localized in the cytoplasm, nucleus and mitochondria. Park7 is a redox-sensitive protein that has been ascribed various functions including that as a redox sensor and antioxidant protein. Mutations in Park7 are associated with a small percentage of hereditary early onset Parkinson's disease.
Principle of the Assay: The microtiter plate provided in this kit has been pre-coated with an antibody specific to DJ-1. Standards or samples are then added to the appropriate microtiter plate wells with a biotin-conjugated antibody preparation specific for DJ-1 and Avidin conjugated to Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) is added to each microplate well and incubated. Then a TMB (3,3',5,5' tetramethyl-benzidine) substrate solution is added to each well. Only those wells that contain DJ-1, biotin-conjugated antibody and enzyme-conjugated Avidin will exhibit a change in color. The enzyme-substrate reaction is terminated by the addition of a sulphuric acid solution and the color change is measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 450 nm +/- 2 nm. The concentration of DJ-1 in the samples is then determined by comparing the O.D. of the samples to the standard curve