Application

Glutamate Assay Kit has been used to determine the concentration of glutamate in cerebrospinal fluid in a rat subarachnoid hemorrhage model. It has also been used to determine cytosolic and secreted glutamate concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

General description

Glutamate, one of the two acidic proteinogenic amino acids, is also a key molecule in cellular metabolism. The synthesis of α-KG from glutamate by glutamate dehydrogenase is a key TCA cycle anaplerotic reaction. In humans, glutamate plays an important role both in amino acid degradation and disposal of excess or waste nitrogen. Within the mammalian nervous system, glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter. It is believed to be involved in learning and memory and may also be involved in diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, some forms of mental retardation, and Alzheimer′s disease. Glutamate is present in a wide variety of foods, and has been used as a flavor enhancer in food industry.

Principle

Glutamate concentration is determined by an enzymatic assay, which results in a colorimetric (450 nm) product, proportional to the glutamate present.

Suitability

Suitable to determine glutamate concentration in a variety of samples.