Nucleosomes: The Next Generation of Cancer Biomarkers
A nucleosome, composed of histone proteins and the DNA wrapped around them, is the core unit of chromatin. The affect nucleosomes have on chromatin structure and gene regulation is dependent upon the identity of the histones that make up the nucleosome, as well as any modifications to these histone proteins. With a plethora of histone protein variants and post-translational modifications that can occur on their “histone tails”, there are a vast number of possibilities when it comes to the exact identiity of a nucleosome and its function. Recently, some of these variants and modifications have been found to associate with cancers. Furthermore, just the total amount of nucleosomes detected can also indicate a disease state or correlate with efficacy of therapy.
Recently, “liquid biopsies”, or blood draws from which you can examine biomarkers, have taken hold as an easy, less invasive method to monitor disease state and treatment efficacy. Nucleosomes, histones, and DNA can be shed into the blood during cancer due to high cellular turnover or in response to chemotherapy. Free-floating DNA (cfDNA and ctDNA) is an attractive biomarker, but has shown to be less stable than nucleosomes. Additionally, next generation sequencing of DNA is cumbersome and costly compared to a high-throughput ELISA assay to detect intact nucleosomes. Nucleosome-specific detection assays represent a new generation of biomarker tests: easy, fast, cost-effective, and compatible with stable proteins in liquid biopsy samples.
Histone H3.1
Active Motif’s Nu.Q H3.1 Assay Kit is designed for the detection of levels of Histone H3.1-containing, circulating cell-free nucleosomes (cf-nucleosomes) in human serum in a high-throughput format. Histone H3.1, or the canonical form of Histone H3, is deposited during DNA replication and possibly also during repair. Study of H3.1 has identified cancer-associated mutations and differing affinities for the histone acetyltransferase HAT1. To examine H3-containing nucleosome for all variants, use our Nu.Q H3 Assay. For added convenience and a more quantitative interpretation of results, the Nu.Q H3.1 Assay Kit also includes a recombinant nucleosome protein for use as a reference standard curve. For complete details, click the Nu.Q™ Method tab below.
Why use Nu.Q H3.1?
Sensitivity: Detect circulating nucleosomes in as little as 10 µl of serum or 20 µl of plasma
Specificity: Nucleosome epitope specific antibody enables detection of only intact nucleosomes
Quantification: Recombinant nucleosomes enable relative quantification of levels of circulating H3.1 nucleosomes
Convenience: Colorimetric assay in a simple 96-stripwell format for high and low throughput
Fast: Results can be obtained in 5 hours.
nu. q h3.1 elisa assay
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