Beta-Glucuronidases are hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates. Specifically, Beta-Glucuronidases cleave the terminal Beta-D-glucuronic acid residue from the non-reducing terminus of a mucopolysaccharide chain. In humans, these enzymes are found in the lysosome of many tissue types. Loss of Beta-Glucuronidase activity results in a metabolic disease known as Sly syndrome. One pharmaceutical application for these enzymes is the metabolism of glucuronidated prodrugs into active pharmacological compounds. As expression and activities of Beta-Glucuronidases vary substantially between tissue types and disease states, these enzymes have been used to achieve targeted activation of oncotherapeutic compounds, some of which may be toxic to healthy cells not associated with malignancy or disease. It is thus important to have knowledge of the Beta-Glucuronidase activity in the tested sample to determine whether the prodrug or active form will predominate. Assay Genie's Beta-Glucuronidase Activity Assay Kit provides a quick, reliable fluorometric method for measurements of Beta-Glucuronidase activities of samples and tissue lysates. The provided substrate, which is specific to Beta-Glucuronidases, is cleaved into a fluorescent product in the presence of Beta-Glucuronidase. This kit, when used according to the protocol, is sensitive enough to detect as little as one µU (1 pmole/min) of activity.

Figure: (a) 4-MU standard curve; (b) Time course using 5 µl positive control β-Glucuronidase and lysate samples as described; (c) The β-Glucuronidase activities for Rat Kidney and Liver lysates (5 µg each), in mU/mg, were determined to be 3.61 and 12.44 mU per mg protein in sample, respectively. Assays were performed following the kit protocol.