Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) today said that its Life Sciences
subsidiary will release a new catalog dealing with "Epigenetics &
Chromatin Modification” at the Society for Neuroscience’s, Neuroscience
2009 conference, beginning October 17, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. The
catalog provides a portfolio of tools relating to histone- and
DNA-modifying enzymes, including enzymes for lysine
acetylation/deacetylation (HATs, HDACs and sirtuins), protein
methylation/demethylation, DNA methylation and telomerases. Enzo Life
Sciences will also introduce new enzyme drug discovery kits for histone
deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), emerging
targets for cancer and other diseases.
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from
lysines of histones and other non-histone proteins, and figure
prominently in chromatin modifications that lead to changes in gene
expression. The Fluor de Lys™-Green HDAC assay is a new and improved
product for assaying HDAC activity from cell extracts or purified
enzymes. The proprietary new fluorescent probe in the kit contains a
longer wavelength excitation/emission profile than the standard Fluor de
Lys™ substrate, avoiding potential interference from the
autofluorescence of cell constituents and small molecule compounds. The
convenient, two-step homogeneous procedure for measuring HDAC activity
provided by the kit is applicable to high throughput screening of
potential HDAC inhibitors.
Lysine-specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) catalyzes demethylation of mono-
and dimethylated lysines in histones, p53 and DNMT1. There is increasing
evidence of LSD1’s importance in epigenetic and transcriptional
regulation and of its roles in processes ranging from embryogenesis to
carcinogenesis. The LSD1 fluorometric drug discovery kit provides a
convenient assay of LSD1 activity and for screening of LSD1 inhibitors.
The assay couples oxidative demethylation of a peptide substrate with
peroxidation of Enzo’s CELLestialTM Red Substrate to produce
a red fluorescent signal that can be monitored continuously at 590nm.
"It is especially appropriate for us to showcase our broad range of
epigenetic modulators at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, given
recent discoveries that epigenetic changes related to chromatin
remodeling in the brain are linked to a variety of psychiatric
conditions including anxiety, alcohol addiction and suicidal
tendencies,” commented Wayne Patton, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of
Enzo Life Sciences. "Chemical modification of histones change the manner
that DNA and histones associate with one another in chromatin and this
in turn impacts transcriptional activity. Enzo Life Sciences’ new HDAC
and LSD1 assays provide sensitive and convenient approaches for
detecting these important epigenetic enzymatic activities.”
About Enzo
Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and
licensing of innovative health care products and technologies based on
molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing
diagnostic services to the medical community. Enzo’s Life Sciences
division develops, produces and markets proprietary labeling and
detection products for gene sequencing, genetic analysis and
immunological research among others. Its catalog of over 40,000
products serves the molecular biology, drug discovery and pathology
research markets. The Company's therapeutic division is in various
stages of clinical evaluation of its proprietary immune regulation
medicines for uveitis and Crohn's disease and conducts pre-clinical
research on several candidate compounds aimed at producing new mineral
and organic bone, including technology that could provide therapy for
osteoporosis and fractures, among other applications. Enzo’s Clinical
Labs division provides routine and esoteric reference laboratory
services for physicians in the New York Metropolitan and New Jersey
areas. Underpinning the Company’s technology and operations is an
extensive intellectual property estate in which Enzo owns or licenses
over 230 patents worldwide, and has pending applications for over 200
more. For more information visit the Company’s website www.enzo.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news
release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such
statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current
expectations of the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned
that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could
materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims any obligations
to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments
occurring after the date of this press release.
