Patent attributes
The present invention provides a method for assaying alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase activity. In the assay, a sample containing an alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase or suspected of containing an alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase is contacted with (2R)-2-methylacyl-CoA. If alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase is present in the sample, (2R)-2-methylacyl-CoA is converted into (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA. The method then utilizes a cycling reaction system between (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA and trans-2,3-dehydroacyl-CoA to generate a detectable signal that corresponds to the alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase activity. Kits for assaying alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase based on the same principle are also provided.