Inquiry Basket
Stable isotope labeling of amino acids is the incorporation of one or more stable isotopes (such as 2H, 13C, 15N) into their chemical structure. The incorporation of stable isotopes allows researchers to use mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to track and quantify the fate of these amino acids in biological systems. These labeled amino acids are used in various research fields, such as proteomics, metabolomics, and biochemistry, to study metabolic pathways, protein synthesis, and protein-protein interactions. With a professional team, first-class synthetic purification technology, rigorous work attitude, and strict quality requirements, BOC Sciences will meet the different purity requirements of isotope labeled amino acids and provide quality services to produce them in different scales.
Amino acids, as components of peptides/proteins and intermediates of various metabolic pathways (such as citric acid cycle and urea cycle), play a key role in biological functions. Stable isotope-labeled amino acids are important tools for studying protein kinetics, metabolism and signaling pathways in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. These special amino acids are chemically identical to their natural counterparts, but contain stable isotopes of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, or hydrogen. The incorporation of these isotopes into proteins allows researchers to track the fate of specific amino acids in protein molecules or cellular systems. In the field of drug research and development, stable isotope-labeled amino acids can be used for magnetic resonance imaging to make metabolic changes in the body visible. Such applications can help the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with neuropsychiatric diseases, cancer and other diseases.
Fig. 1. Applications of stable isotope labeling of amino acids (J Proteomics. 2015, 126: 34-45).
Stable isotope labeling technology for cell culture (SILAC) is a new technology that uses stable isotope-labeled amino acids combined with mass spectrometry technology to quantitatively analyze protein expression during cell culture. It can not only conduct qualitative analysis of proteins, but also reflect the expression levels of the corresponding proteins in different states through the ratio of a pair of light-heavy stable isotope peaks on the mass spectrum to achieve accurate quantification of proteins. The principle of SILAC is to add light, medium or heavy stable isotope labeled essential amino acids (lysine and Arginine). Isotopic amino acids will be used by cells to synthesize proteins during subculture. After 5-6 passages, all proteins of the cell will be labeled with isotopes. Equal amounts of each type of protein are mixed and analyzed by mass spectrometry after enzymatic hydrolysis. Relative quantification will be performed by comparing the area of the isotopic peak shape in the first-order mass spectrum, while the second-order spectrum is used to sequence the peptides for protein identification.
BOC Sciences offers a full range of stable isotope labeled amino acids with customizable labeling patterns and isotope enrichment. Our products are designed to meet the diverse needs of researchers in areas such as peptide drug development, protein turnover research, metabolic flux analysis and structural biology. Currently, we offer a variety of methods that can be used to prepare stable isotope-labeled amino acids, depending on the specific isotope required and the desired labeling pattern.
Isotopically labeled amino acids can be chemically synthesized using isotopically labeled starting materials and a variety of organic chemical reactions. One of the main services provided by BOC Sciences is the chemical synthesis of isotopically labeled amino acids. This involves the incorporation of stable isotopes (such as 13C, 15N and 2H) into amino acids through chemical reactions. By carefully controlling reaction conditions and purification processes, we are able to produce highly pure and isotopically enriched labeled amino acids. These labeled amino acids are important tools for a variety of applications, including protein structure determination, metabolism studies, and drug discovery.
Certain microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, can be engineered to produce amino acids with stable isotopes. By culturing these microorganisms in culture media containing isotopically labeled substrates (e.g. 13 C-glucose, 15 N-ammonium sulfate), labeled amino acids can be harvested from the culture. By using genetically engineered microorganisms, BOC Sciences can efficiently produce tagged amino acids in large quantities. This method is not only cost-effective, but also environmentally friendly, making it an attractive option for researchers looking to scale up their experiments.
Enzyme technology uses enzyme to catalyze the production of labeled amino acids. For example, transaminases or amino acid dehydrogenases can be used to convert isotope-labeled precursors into labeled amino acids. BOC Sciences focuses on the enzymatic synthesis of isotope-labeled amino acids, and optimizes the enzymatic reaction to achieve the desired isotope labeling mode. This expertise can selectively incorporate isotopes into amino acids to produce high-yield, high-purity compounds.
Stable isotope-labeled amino acids serve as versatile tools that allow researchers to study a wide range of biological processes, from protein synthesis and metabolism to cell signaling and disease mechanisms. In addition, stable isotope-labeled amino acids can also be used in fields such as magnetic resonance imaging, agricultural research, and food development. For example, stable isotope-labeled amino acids allow researchers to understand the role of nitrogen fixation in the atmosphere, in plants and other organisms, and in industrial processes. In addition, stable isotope tracers can be used to determine the authenticity and origin of food products such as wine, beef and olive oil, and to detect adulteration of natural products such as honey, juices, jams and syrups. As new labeling strategies and analytical techniques are developed in the field of stable isotope labeling, their applications continue to expand.
Reference:
