HTRF Resource Library

Schering AG' s platform for miniaturised kinase assays

By: U. Bömer

Bayer Schering

Abstract:

Ulf Bömer, Head Technology Development & HTS Infrastructure, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Berlin (Germany).

Different types of kinase assays (e.g. Ser-kinase or Tyr-kinase, primary HTS or selectivity assay) have different needs and limitations as well as the different assay technologies have their specific strengths and weaknesses.

High data quality is a must for all assays, but throughput and costs are important mainly for HTS assays whereas for selectivity assays the speed of assay development might be more important.

Each assay type can be optimally addressed by a certain assay technology. However, for optimal data comparability it is highly desirable to use a single assay technology for all kinds of kinase assays. In our evaluation of the most prominent assay technologies HTRF^® turned out to be most versatile and cost efficient. Special advantages are the high potential for miniaturisation and the low enzyme demand. In consequence we have selected HTRF^® as our standard kinase assay technology.

Based on HTRF^® we have built up a whole platform for the fast and cost-effective development and performance of all kinase assays, primary HTS as well as compound characterisation, in the 5-µl-scale. The platform comprises tools for the rapid identification of high quality peptide substrates and suitable corresponding specific antibodies, and standard procedures for effective assay development and compound logistics. Examples are given for the conversion of SPA assays as well as for the development of new Ser/Thr kinase HTS assays.