Products

New SLP(Silkworm Larvae Plasma) Reagent Set

Peptidoglycan and β-glucan Detection kit

 

The hemolymph of the silkworm Bombyx moriI contains a self-defense mechanism termed the

"prophenoloxidase (proPO) activating system" or "proPO cascade" . Upon invasion of microbe such as

bacteria and fungi, the system participates in melanin formation observed in the body fluid of insects to

protect them from the in invader's attack. The system is triggered by peptidoglycan (PG) from bacteria and (1

→3)-β-D-glucan (β-glucan )from fungi and yeast, and yeast, and consequently, proPO in the system is

activated.

The system is thought to be a cascade reaction involving activation of multiple zymogens of proteinases.

The SLP (Silkworm Larvae Plasma) reagent is a lyophilized product containing factors of the proPO

cascade, it is prepared from silkworm larvae body fluid and processed without melanin formation. The SLP

reagent is activated by PG and/or β-glucan, then L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine(DOPA) is oxidized and

melanin is formed. Since PG is found on the cell wall of most bacteria and β-glucan is a component found in

cell walls of many fungi, it is possible to detect various microorganisms by using melanin pigment formation

of SLP reagent as an index.

 

Since PG is found not only in gram-positive but also gram-negative bacteria, the SLP reagent responds to a

wide range of bacteria, regardless of their gram-staining classification. It also reacts with fungus-derived β-

glucan, which suggests that it can respond widely to general microorganisms. Therefore, the concurrent use

of LAL and SLP reagents, which are activated by endotoxin and β-glucan respectively, enable the type of

microorganism in a sample to be predicted.

 

Features;

• Accurate and sensitive quantification of peptidoglycan(PG) and β-glucan with tube reader (Toxinometer?)

• Sensitivity: 10 pg/mL (PG), 1 pg/mL (β-glucan) (detected within 120 minutes with Toxinometer? at 30℃)

 

Applications;

• Study of the structure-activity relationship, biosynthesis, metabolism and etiological significance of PG

• Investigation of water pollution

• Microbial contamination testing of the dialysate

• Detection for fungal compounds in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, biologics and genetically-

  engineered products

• Elucidation of the biological defense mechanism of insects

 

Since PG is found not only in gram-positive but also gram-negative bacteria, the SLP reagent responds to a

wide range of bacteria, regardless of their gram-staining classification. It also reacts with fungus-derived β-

glucan, which suggests that it can respond widely to general microorganisms. Therefore, the concurrent use

of LAL and SLP reagents, which are activated by endotoxin and β-glucan respectively, enable the type of

microorganism in a sample to be predicted.