Iduron Trials New Range of GAG Proteins to Aid Cancer and Alzheimer’s Research

(PRWEB UK) 24 February 2014

Adding to its comprehensive range of GAG oligosaccharides such as heparin, chondroitin and dermatan, Iduron is developing and trialling two new product ranges to assist in research of GAG-protein interactions. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) influence many biological interactions from cell growth and differentiation to tumour malignancy, angiogenesis and age-related neural pathologies including Alzheimer’s disease.

Currently being trialled are selectively-desulphated heparin oligosaccharides, which enable the study of the effect of sulphation patterns on a biological system. Researchers can now look at the effect of chain length and sulphation on biological systems, for example the effect variations of sulphation/chain length on cell migration and proliferation or cell differentiation.

Iduron is also trialling end-linked biotinylaed heparin. The biotin is bonded to the non-reducing end of the GAG so as not to preserve the native structure and ensure as natural an interaction as possible with the system/ligand of interest. Once perfected, this technique will enable Iduron to biotinylate all saccharides, including their GAG oligosaccharides, in response to customer request.

Biotin-linked GAGs immobilized onto avidin beads can be used use as a purification technique for growth factors or other GAG-binding ligands. Furthermore, immobilized oligosaccharides can be used to generate a specific affinity bead to study a particular interaction with a range of structures.

Alternatively, biotinylated GAGS can be used in surface plasmon resonance studies (SPR). SPR allows the study of GAG-ligand interactions with high sensitivity, real-time monitoring, quantitative evaluation and determination of kinetic rate constants using low sample volumes. Iduron is also trailing biotinylated heparin as a substrate for cell adhesion in a bioreactor.

About Iduron

Iduron is a dedicated Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) company founded on peer reviewed academic research at the University of Manchester, UK. Iduron offers an extensive product range for GAG-based research and development as well as expert advice. The Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, The University of Manchester and Cancer Research UK benefit from profit share agreements with Iduron.

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