Enzyme Activity Measurement for Isomerases

Creative Enzymes has established itself as a leading provider of enzyme activity measurement services, offering reliable, reproducible, and high-quality assays. Among all enzyme classes, isomerases (EC 5) play a particularly important role in biocatalysis, industrial production, and biomedical research. Our tailored isomerase activity measurement services are designed to deliver precise results for both routine samples and unique research applications.

Background on Isomerases and Their Enzymatic Activity

Isomerases are a major class of enzymes that catalyze structural rearrangements of molecules, either by intramolecular bond changes or conformational shifts. Representing nearly 4% of the reactions in central metabolism, isomerases play essential roles in carbohydrate metabolism, terpenoid/polyketide pathways, and beyond.

Figure 1. Biological importance of isomerases. Core metabolic pathways (the isomerase reactions are emboldened in black). Carbohydrate and terpenoid/polyketide metabolic pathways are highlighted in blue and green squares. (Cuesta et al., 2014)

EC Subclasses of Isomerases

Applications

• Metabolic Engineering (e.g., xylose isomerase in biofuels and food industries)
• Organic Synthesis (e.g., racemases for stereochemically pure amino acids)
• Pharmaceutical Research (e.g., antimicrobial targets, neuropathological therapies)
• Enzyme Design and Protein Engineering (modifying catalytic activity)

Methods for Isomerase Activity Assay

Accurate and efficient measurement of isomerase activity is crucial for understanding their functional significance. Common methods for measuring isomerase activity include:

• Optical and Spectrophotometric Assays: These methods measure the change in absorbance or fluorescence as a result of the enzymatic reaction.
• Protease-Coupled Assays: In these assays, the isomerase activity is measured indirectly by coupling the reaction to a protease that cleaves the substrate after the isomerization step.
• High-Throughput Assays: These assays are designed for rapid screening of enzyme activity and can be used to identify new mutants or inhibitors.
• Microfluidic Calorimetry: This technique measures the heat generated during the enzymatic reaction, providing a direct measure of enzyme activity. However, its application to isomerases is limited due to the low enthalpy change associated with many isomerase reactions.

Comprehensive Service Offerings

How It Works

Service Details

• Routine and custom assay development
• Single enzyme or pathway-level analysis
• Support for high-throughput screening
• Optional mechanistic studies (active-site mapping, inhibitor profiling, structural-functional integration)

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Why Choose Creative Enzymes

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

FAQs

• Q: What types of isomerases can you measure?

  A: We cover all subclasses, including racemases, epimerases, cis-trans-isomerases, oxidoreductases, intramolecular transferases, lyases, and others. Both purified and crude enzyme samples are accepted.

• Q: Do you offer assay customization?

  A: Yes, we design tailored assays depending on substrate availability, enzyme class, and project objectives. This ensures accurate and relevant data.

• Q: How do you ensure reproducibility?

  A: We follow standardized protocols, run controls, and use advanced instrumentation. Each dataset undergoes statistical validation to guarantee reliability.

• Q: What applications do your isomerase activity services support?

  A: Applications range from drug discovery and biocatalyst optimization to food production and environmental biotechnology.

• Q: How long does a typical project take?

  A: Most projects are completed within 2–4 weeks, depending on enzyme type and complexity. Rush services may be available for urgent studies.