The Rowett Research Institute

Quidel Corporation

Jeffrey D Brady

Simon P Robins

This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method. The method involves contacting a biological compound with one of:

Method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds

Disclosed is a method for measuring a level of pyridinoline and/or deoxypyridinoline in a sample. In the method, a non-hydrolyzed sample containing one or more peptide-bound collagen pyridinium crosslinks selected from the group consisting of pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline, or both, is contacted with a protease reagent under conditions effective for the protease reagent to cleave the crosslinks from attached collagen amino acids and peptides, so that peptide-bound forms are converted to native, peptide-free pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. After proteolysis, the level(s) of native, peptide-free pyridinoline and/or deoxypyridinoline are measured. Preferably, proteolysis is effective to ensure that at least 80% of total pyridinium crosslinks are present as the native, peptide-free forms. The method is particularly useful in screening or monitoring collagen degradation activity. Kits and reagents for use in the method are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Broughty Ferry, United Kingdom

Jeffrey D Brady