L-Tryptophan
L-tryptophan (tryptophan) is one of eight essential amino acids that must be obtained from the diet. Tryptophan serves as a key building block for synthesis of proteins and as a precursor for various brain neurotransmitters including serotonin. Tryptophan is the only recognized precursor that can be converted into serotonin by the body. Serotonin promotes feelings of well being and calm and thereby helps to counterbalance the physiological affects of brain dopamine and the nor-adrenaline circuits which encourage fear, anger, tension, aggression, obsessive-compulsive actions, over-eating (especially of carbohydrates), migraine headache, depression, and sleep disturbances. Melatonin, a metabolite of serotonin, is a sleep promoting natural hormone made by the pineal gland. In addition, tryptophan is a key precursor for niacin (vitamin B3), a vitamin that is essential for normal respiration, metabolism, and synthesis of sex hormones. Because tryptophan plays such a critical role in the proper balancing of metabolism, mood and sleep patterns, insufficient dietary availability of this essential amino acid can lead to serious adverse consequences.

Bridge-It® L-Tryptophan Fluorescence Assay
The Bridge-It® tryptophan fluorescence assay is based on the activity of tryptophan repressor protein (TrpR), a bacterial DNA-binding protein. TrpR protein binds to its DNA-binding site in tryptophan-dependent fashion.
The central feature of this assay design is the TrpR-dependent association of two fluorochrome-labeled DNA half-fragments (one labeled with fluorescein and the other labeled with Oyster® 645 fluophore. Each fragment contains about one-half of the TrpR protein DNA-binding site. In the presence of L-tryptophan an increase in fluorescence signal can be detected as a result of the tryptophan-dependent association of the labeled DNA half-fragments. Tryptophan is readily detectable using the Bridge-It® tryptophan fluorescence assay in various types of test samples including bacterial growth medium, brain extract, yeast extract, as well as in human serum and urine. The linear range of the assay is 0.4 µM-10 µM and the minimum tryptophan detection level is ~0.1 µM. The assay is highly specific for measuring tryptophan. No significant TrpR protein binding activity was observed using the assay when L-tryptophan was replaced with each of nineteen (19) other L-amino acids (up to 100 µM) or D-tryptophan, serotonin, and the tryptophan precursor 5’HTP (up to 20 µM).

More information at: http://mediomics.com/product/bridge-l-tryptophan-fluorescence-assay-kit-96-well-format/

*384 well format also available