Assay for inhibitors of a 24 kD cytoplasmic protease which activates DNA fragmentation in apoptosis

摘要

A method is disclosed for assaying for inhibitors of a 24 kDa cytoplasmic protease associated with apoptosis. The protease has a defined amino acid composition, activity against the elastase-like substrate MAAVP, and induces DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis in isolated U937 cell target nuclei.