Aconitase (aconitate hydratase; EC 4.2.1.3) is an iron-sulfur protein containing [Fe²cluster that catalyzes the stereospecific isomerization of citrate to isocitrate via cis-aconitate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, a non-redox-active process. Tissue contains two aconitases, a mitochondrial (m-) and a cytosolic (c-) aconitase. They are related, but distinctly different enzymes and are coded for on different chromosomes. Loss of aconitase activity in cells or other biological samples treated with pro-oxidants has been interpreted as a measure of oxidative damage. Assay Genie's Aconitase Assay Kit is a highly sensitive, simple, direct and HTS-ready colorimetric assay for measuring Aconitase activity in biological samples. In the assay, citrate is converted by aconitase into isocitrate, which is further processed resulting in a product that converts a nearly colorless probe into an intensely colored form with a ax at 450nm.

Unit definition: One unit of Aconitase is the amount of enzyme that will isomerize 1.0µmol of Citrate to Isocitrate per min at pH 7.4 at 25 °C.

Figure: Standard Graphs obtained from following Kit Protocol.