Detection of survival motor neuron protein in buccal cells through electrochemiluminescence-based assay

Assay Drug Dev Technol. 2015 Apr;13(3):167-73. doi: 10.1089/adt.2015.635. Epub 2015 Apr 7.

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe autosomal recessive disorder affecting one in every 10,000 live births. The disease is characterized by loss of alpha-motor neurons in the spinal cord that leads to progressive atrophy and weakness of limb and trunk muscles. This neuromuscular disorder results from deletions and/or mutations within the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, leading to a pathologically decreased expression of functional full-length SMN protein. Here we report on the investigation to measure SMN protein levels through electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). This simple assay is a highly quantitative method able to measure SMN protein levels in human, mouse, and rat samples throughout a wide working range with low intra- and interassay error. The sensitivity for human SMN is 30 pg/mL and provides a new tool for the set up of high-throughput screening for basic research. Moreover, we describe a novel tool for a noninvasive assessment of SMN in buccal cells derived from healthy donors, SMA carriers, and SMA patients. The availability of a validated quantitative ECLIA should improve the investigation of novel compounds for the treatment of SMA.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Child
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Luminescence*
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Mucosa / cytology*
  • Rats
  • SMN Complex Proteins / analysis*

Substances

  • SMN Complex Proteins