General description

Adenosyl homocysteinase (AHCY) (EC 3.3.1.1) or S-adenosyl homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH); is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of S-Adenosyl Homocysteine (SAH) to adenosine and homocysteine. Inhibition of AHCY results in the accumulation of SAH, a product inhibitor of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases. AHCY is an important target as an antiviral and anticancer drug. Several characterized SAH inhibitors inhibit some DNA viruses (e.g. Pox viruses) and some negative stranded RNA viruses (e.g.: Marburg virus, Ebola virus & rabies).

Principle

In this AHCY Inhibitor Screening kit the homocysteine generated from the breakdown of SAH is measured using a Thiol Detecting Reagent resulting in enhanced fluorescence (λ_ex = 392 nm/λ_em = 482 nm). The AHCY reaction is reversible and hence adenosine deaminase is included in the reaction to ensure the reaction proceeds towards hydrolysis of SAH. In the presence of AHCY inhibitor, there is a decrease in fluorescence of the Thiol Detecting Reagent.

Suitability

Suitable for screening, characterizing and studying AHCY inhibitors