Fremont, CA – November 12, 2009 AnaSpec has announced the release of two structurally complex peptides, Agr D1 Thiolactone and Agr D2 Thiolactone, as part of its GO™ (catalog) peptides offering.
In Gram-positive bacteria, such as in Staphylococcus aureus, physiological changes in the bacterial population are dependent on specific cell densities and growth phases (known as quorum sensing). S. aureus specifically uses quorum sensing to control the expression of exoproteins implicated in virulence through the Agr (accessory gene regulator) locus. The Agr system is activated by an accumulation of extracellular mature peptide signals known as autoinducing peptides (AIPs). S. aureus has four distinct Agr groups, which exhibit bacterial interference. Each Agr group synthesizes a discrete AIP sequence. All four AIP sequences are composed of seven to nine amino acids and have a thiolactone ring in the C-terminal five residues through a cysteine side chain.
AnaSpec’s chemists have synthesized and purified these peptides, which contain an intramolecular thiol ester linkage between the Cys (5th amino acid from the C-terminus) and the C-terminal amino acid. Mass spectrometry and HPLC were used to confirm the molecular weight and purity (>95%) of these peptides.
References:
1. P. McDowell, et al. Molecular Microbiology, 41, 503 (2001).
2. Weng C, Chan, et al. J. Med. Chem., 47, 4633 (2004).
3. G. Y. Ji, et al. J. Bacteriology, 187, 3139 (2005).
4. M. Otto, FEBS Lett., 424, 89 (1998).
5. P. Mayville, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 1218 (1999).
About AnaSpec
AnaSpec is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions to the world’s largest biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic research institutions. With a vision for innovation through synergy, AnaSpec focuses on three core technologies: peptides, detection reagents, and antibodies.
AnaSpec recently joined forces with Eurogentec to provide an even broader spectrum of products and services to serve the worldwide life science community.
For more information visit www.anaspec.com
About Eurogentec
Eurogentec is a leading global supplier of innovative reagents, kits, specialty products and custom services to scientists in the life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and diagnostic markets. Eurogentec provides a wide range of expertize in small- and large-scale DNA, RNA, PCR and qPCR kits, peptide synthesis and antibody supply for research applications. Our ISO13485:2003-certified manufacturing facilities in Belgium provides a wide range of high value oligonucleotide-based components for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Eurogentec’s Belgium manufacturing facility is complemented by additional production facilities in North America and Japan. Eurogentec is also an experienced Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) for Biopharmaceuticals, operating a full-service, state-of-the-art GMP facility in Belgium.
Eurogentec is a privately held company headquartered in Liège, Belgium, with subsidiaries in North America, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland and has additional production facilities in North America, Japan and Singapore. Eurogentec employs 400+ people globally.
For more information visit www.eurogentec.com
