Description
Introduction: In molecular biology, Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of the numerous growth factors, or proteins that regulate cell growth and division. In particular, it plays a significant role in blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), the growth of blood vessels from already existing bloodvessel tissue. Uncontrolled angiogenesis is a characteristic of cancer. Chemically, Platelet-derived growth factor is dimeric glycoprotein composed of two A (-AA) or two B (-BB) chains or a combination of the two (-AB). PDGF plays a role in embryonic development, cell proliferation, cell migration, and angiogenesis. PDGF has also been linked to several diseases such as atherosclerosis, fibrosis and malignant diseases. In addition, PDGF is a required element in cellular division for fibroblast, a type of connective tissue cell. In essence, the PDGFs allow a cell to skip the G1 checkpoints in order to divide. PDGF is also known to maintain proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Like many other growth factors that have been linked to disease, PDGF has provided a market for protein receptor antagonists to treat disease. Such antagonists usually include specific antibodies that target the molecule of interest, which only act in a neutralizing manner. However, recent developments have allowed some biotechnology companies to circumvent this problem by creating specialized molecules that not only bind the protein of interest, but also destroy it in an enzymatic fashion.
Principle of the Assay: The microtiter plate provided in this kit has been pre-coated with an antibody specific to PDGF-AB. Standards or samples are then added to the appropriate microtiter plate wells with a biotin-conjugated antibody preparation specific for PDGF-AB and Avidin conjugated to HorseradishPeroxidase (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 PDGF-AB, 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 PDGF-AB in the samples is then determined by comparing the O.D. of the samples to the standard curve