Enzyme Activity Assays

Figure 1. Representation of the enzymatic activity assay process starting with a fluorescence donor and quenching acceptor on a substrate going through enzymatic cleavage to remove the quencher, showing an increase in fluorescent activity which signals there is enzyme activity happening.

Enzymatic activity assays are predominately performed by researchers to identify the presence or quantity of a specific enzyme in an organism, tissue, or sample. Examples of such enzymes include α-amylase, catalase, laccase, peroxidase, lysozyme, and reporter enzymes alkaline phosphatase, and luciferase. Diverse reagents and methodologies are widely available that allow for the investigation of specific enzyme-substrate interactions. The selection of an appropriate workflow solution depends on the sensitivity that is required by the researcher. Colorimetric solutions are useful for detection, while fluorescence-based reagents are better suited for quantification of enzyme activity.

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Determining Optimal Conditions for Enzymatic Activity

While numerous enzyme assays have been described in the literature, it is necessary to modify these procedures to the unique requirements of the enzyme under investigation. The specific activity of an enzyme depends on numerous factors including, pH, temperature, ionic strength, and the concentration of all components in the assay. For conditions such as pH, enzyme activity often resembles a bell curve. The highest activity at a specific pH is reported as the V_max, with decreasing activity observed on either end of the curve. Some enzymes may require additional considerations for compounds that are not directly involved with the reaction, such as metal ions, detergents, and hydrophobic molecules.

Determining Optimal Conditions for Enzymatic Activity

While numerous enzyme assays have been described in the literature, it is necessary to modify these procedures to the unique requirements of the enzyme under investigation. The specific activity of an enzyme depends on numerous factors including, pH, temperature, ionic strength, and the concentration of all components in the assay. For conditions such as pH, enzyme activity often resembles a bell curve. The highest activity at a specific pH is reported as the V_max, with decreasing activity observed on either end of the curve. Some enzymes may require additional considerations for compounds that are not directly involved with the reaction, such as metal ions, detergents, and hydrophobic molecules.

Enzyme Assay Components

For many enzymes, water is the standard solvent as it is the same water-based environment found in cells. However, organic solvents are used in some cases where enzymes or enzyme components are insoluble in water. Additionally, substrates and cofactors, catalysis for enzymatic reactions, are also critical components in an enzyme activity assay. Substrates and cofactors are often identified based on their functions under physiological conditions. As such, substrates and cofactors broadly interact and may be required by a diverse range of enzymes. Buffers and ions are additional critical elements to consider as they are essential for stabilizing the pH throughout the assay and directly influence enzyme activity. For example, mono- or divalent metal ions may be required for the catalytic activity of cofactors in the reaction and are essential for enzyme activity.

Performing an Enzyme Assay

The preparation of enzyme assay components is a practical first step. It is generally advantageous to prepare a large assay mixture, excluding one activating component, to avoid pipetting error that is inherent when pipetting small volumes. Once the assay mixture is prepared, researchers will then add the final activating component to the mixture to initiate the activity assay. Enzyme pretreatment by storing the enzyme at cool temperatures and often including various chemical or protein additives are critical factors to ensure enzyme stability and maximum activity before the initiation of the assay. Once the reaction materials are combined into an observation vessel, all the components should be quickly and thoroughly mixed as the reaction begins. Data recording should begin immediately after mixing, and the detectable signal from the assay should be plotted for the complete time course of the reaction.

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