This video demonstrates an in vitro assay to quantify neutrophil serine protease activity in sputum samples. The sample containing secreted protease is incubated with a fluorescent reporter bearing a recognition motif. Cleavage of the motif by the protease enables individual fluorescence emission by the donor and acceptor fluorophore of the reporter, indicating protease activity in the sample.
Protocol
NOTE: The following protocols describe the sample preparation and the quantification of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) activity. The experimental procedures presented herein focus on human sputum and neutrophil elastase (NE) or cathepsin G (CG) activity measurement. However, slight adaptations in the sample preparation protocol render the analysis of blood-derived cells and tumor homogenates possible. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin S activities can be investigated similarly by me…
An In Vitro Assay for Measuring Neutrophil Serine Protease Activity Using a Fluorescent Reporter. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e21902, doi: (2024).