Detailed Description
WSU researchers have developed a fluorescence-based assay for the dealkylation activity of the non-heme iron (II) a-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family of enzymes. This assay uses formaldehyde dehydrogenase to convert formaldehyde to formic acid and monitors the creation of an NADH analog using fluorescence. The technology is a great improvement over the existing assays for DNA demethylation in that is continuous rapid and does not require radioactively labeled material. Additionally this assay may also be utilized to study the demethylation of histones. This invention has been reported in T. W. Roy and A. S. Bhagwat ?Kinetic studies of E. coli AlkB using a new fluorescence-based assay for DNA demethylation? Nucleic Acids Research 2007 Vol. 35 No.21.
File Number: 08-904