Chromogenic peptide substrate assays and their clinical applications

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology

Background:

• Chromogenic peptide substrates emerged in the 1970s for studying coagulation factors.
• Their application expanded to fibrinolytic, kallikrein, and complement systems.
• Substrates for activated protein C and limulus lysate facilitated routine hematological and endotoxin testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development and diverse applications of chromogenic peptide substrate assays.
• To highlight their evolution from specialized research tools to routine clinical diagnostics.
• To cover the extensive literature on their use in measuring various biological components.

Main Methods:

• Development of synthetic chromogenic peptide substrates based on natural substrates or through screening.
• Creation of assays for enzymes, proenzymes, activators, cofactors, and inhibitors.
• Adaptation of assays for automated and microtitre plate platforms.

Main Results:

• Successful development of assays for coagulation, fibrinolytic, kallikrein, complement, and endotoxin systems.
• Introduction of assays for activated protein C and its inhibitors into routine hematology.
• Widespread adoption of chromogenic substrate assays in clinical laboratories, including endotoxin control.

Conclusions:

• Chromogenic peptide substrate assays have become indispensable tools in clinical diagnostics and research.
• Advancements in automation have overcome initial limitations of cost and manual labor.
• These assays are crucial for understanding and diagnosing various clinical conditions involving enzyme activity.