Concentration assays for Copper / Zinc

 

 

 

 

1.  Copper

 

Copper (Cu2+) is an essential metal ion in biological systems. Many enzymes such as amine oxidase and galactose oxidase require copper for their biological functions. Low levels of copper are associated with disorders including mental retardation, depigmentation, anaemia, hypotonia and scorbutic changes in bone. Levels of copper are key diagnostic indicator of diseases such as Wilson's disease, microcytic hypochromic anaemia and bone disease. The MicroMolar Copper Assay Kit is for measurement of micromolar concentrations of free copper ion Cu2+ (0.001 mM – 0.050 mM). 

The assay is based on the principle that binding the fluorescence dye MCA selectively with copper results in decrease of the fluorescence intensity (emission 535 nm, excitation 485 nm). The assay is compatible with 1 mM Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Al3+, 0.1 mM Co2+ and Ni2+. The Cu2+ sample should be diluted in water or 10 mM HEPES buffer, pH 7.4. It is not compatible with Tris buffer. EDTA, thiols, ammonia and amines strongly binds Cu2+ and should be avoided in the assay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MicroMolar Copper Assay Kit (Catalog No. MCA1000)

Kit components: 105μl 1000 x MCA dye, 30μ 1 mM CuCl2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Zinc

 

Zinc (Zn++) is an essential metal ion in biological systems. Zinc is a cofactor of hundreds of enzymes and plays important roles in signal transduction, gene expression, regulation of apoptosis, synaptic plasticity and prostate gland function. Zinc deficiency is associated with malabsorption syndrome, chronic GI, liver disease, diabetes, renal disease, sickle cell disease, anorexia nervosa, and HIV infection. The NanoMolar Zinc Assay Kit is for measurement of submicromolar concentrations of zinc (0.1 μM – 2 μM). 

The assay is based on the principle that binding the fluorescence dye NZA selectively with Zinc results in increase of the fluorescence intensity (emission 535 nm, excitation 485 nm). The assay is compatible with regular buffers with different metal ions including 10 μM Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Al3+, Fe3+, Ag+ , Co2+ and Ni2+. Chelators such as EDTA and thiol compounds bind zinc and should be avoided in the assay. The assay kit can be used for high-throughput measurements of zinc concentrations in biochemical assay reactions associated with zinc metabolism or environmental water samples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NanoMolar Zinc Assay Kit (Catalog No. NZA1000)

Kit components: 250 μl 100 x NZA dye.