A rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive assay for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase

We present a rapid, sensitive enzymatic assay for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) that does not require chromatography, HPLC, or autoradiography. The assay is based on the use of an inexpensive substrate, tritiated acetate, instead of [14C]chloramphenicol. The method is adapted from one originally used by de Crombrugghe et al. (1973) and by Shaw (1975), but with simplifications appropriate for routine use. In our hands, the method is as sensitive as the customary thin-layer chromatography assay and is far more efficient for the performance of many assays, both in terms of labor and expense.