Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the commonly asked questions about the technology, assay and sample submission are given below. If you have additional questions, please contact Luceome at 520-495-0161 or info@luceome.com.

KinaseSeeker Assays

KinaseSeeker is a binding assay based on a patented cell-free split-luciferase technology.  Split luciferase fragments fused to a scaffold protein and kinase are translated in vitro in a cell-free system and reassembled into a functional luciferase in the presence of a kinase active site binding probe. KinaseSeeker assay has the following benefits over other assay techniques:

  • Luminescence detection, hence low false positives from fluorescent compounds
  • Binding assay, hence identification of active site directed and allosteric inhibitors is possible
  • Cell-free format, hence ability to identify inhibitors in a complex cellular environment at cellular ATP concentrations
  • Homogeneous assay, hence not affected by artifacts due to immobilization
  • Sensitive with Low Background; Broad dynamic range

We currently have 415 protein kinases spanning all families on our panel.  We are continuously working to add more kinases.  If you would like to stay informed when new kinases are added, please send us an email at info@luceome.com to be added to our mailing list.

We offer an a la carte service, where you can build your own panel and profile kinases of your choice.  In addition, we offer several preset panels, comprising popular kinases, which can be used to profile your compounds cost effectively.

Yes.  We have high throughput capabilities for rapid evaluation of compound libraries against a target kinase.

Yes.  KinaseSeeker is a luminescence based assay, which eliminates interference and false positives that result from fluorescent compounds.

We test all compounds for luciferase inhibition prior to testing for kinase inhibition.  If your compound inhibits luciferase in our control assays, we will notify you ahead of initiating profiling experiments.  These control experiments are part of the profiling services we provide for kinases.  In the event that your compound cannot be tested for kinase inhibition, you will not be charged for the control experiments.

The KinaseSeeker assay entails incubation of the translated kinase with the inhibitor for 1 hour at room temperature in rabbit reticulocyte lysate.  We have tested the concentration of ATP in several batches of lysate using Promega’s ENLITEN assay.  The ATP concentration was approx. 1 mM, which is well above its Km for most protein kinases.

Upon completion of testing (~10-15 business days), an electronic copy of the study report is submitted to the customer via email.  The screening data is reported as % activity remaining for each kinase and compound profiled, where a lower number indicates a more potent compound.

Yes.  In addition to Type I inhibitors, KinaseSeeker can be used for detection of Type II and other allosteric inhibitors.

Inhibitor Conformation

Compound Submission for KinaseSeeker and KinaseSeeker-TE Assays

Our process for compound evaluation is very straightforward:

We send you a quote upon request (24-48 hours) –>  You sign the quote and fax/email us a PO or call us with the credit card information  –>  You ship us your compound –> We complete testing  –>  We send you a report.

The turnaround time for cell-free KinaseSeeker assays is ~10-15 business days and for cell-based KinaseSeeker-TE assays is ~3-4 weeks from the receipt of sample.  We make every effort to complete and send data to you within this time frame, if however for some reason there is a delay, we will inform you ahead of time.

Cell-free KinaseSeeker assays are done in duplicate. Cell-based KinaseSeeker-TE assays are done in triplicate.

The amount of material needed depends on the experiments that you would like us to run with your compound.  In general, we need 200 uL of a 10 mM solution of your compound in DMSO for a profiling run (or a pre-weighed equivalent amount of the solid).  Please contact us if you do not have enough material to send us.  We can return unused material upon request, if you are willing to pay for the shipping costs.

All compounds should be accompanied by a Sample Submission Form, available for download here, and shipped to our facility in Tucson, AZ at:

1665 E. 18th St, Suite 106
Tucson, AZ 85719

Ph: 520-495-0161

Cell-free Split-luciferase Assays for other targets

The cell-free split-luciferase technology is very versatile and has been applied to several biological systems.  Among these are protein-protein interactions, DNA damage markers (DNA oxidation, DNA UV-modifications, poly (ADP-ribosylation)), Epigenetics (DNA methylation), and enzymes like Proteases, Kinases and Poly (ADP ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). Please refer to our list of publications for details.

We welcome inquiries about new targets and can develop custom assays for the target of your choice.  If you are interested in collaborating with us, please contact us at info@luceome.com.

Yes, we can screen compounds against protein-protein interactions of the Bcl-family, p53/MDM2 and Hif1a/p300. For example, we can profile compounds against a broad Bcl-panel, whereby we detect inhibition of binding of the helices of Bim/Bad/Bak/Bik/Bid/Bmf/Puma/HRK group to Bcl2/Bcl-xL/Bcl-w/Bfl/Mcl1.  Such comprehensive screens can be useful for garnering selectivity information for Bcl-inhibitors.
Yes, our assays are capable of detecting DNA modifications resulting from oxidative stress (oxo-guanine), UV-exposure (UV-photo adducts) or other forms of damage (which result in poly (ADP-ribose) formation.  Our assays are also capable of detecting epigenetic markers like DNA methylation.
Please contact us at info@luceome.com to request a quote for your target of interest.
The cell-free split luciferase technology is very versatile and can be used for many different applications.  If your specific target is not listed above, please contact us to discuss the feasibility of using the assay technology for your application