Wednesday 8 December 2010

Liver microsomes enables advanced drug development research

Sera Laboratories International Ltd, the serum specialist, has launched a comprehensive range of liver microsome products from over 12 species, including mouse, rabbit, monkey and chicken. Researchers can select from pure microsomes or S9 fractions, and animal liver cytosol is also available. In order to facilitate requirements recommended by REACH, Sera Lab is also able to supply bespoke microsome products from other species or strains, as required. Each product is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis.

Microsomes are a valuable tool for investigating drugs metabolism (enzyme inhibition, clearance and metabolite identification), as well as for examining in vitro drug-drug interactions. They are produced by mechanically homogenising cells such that the endoplasmic reticulum is fragmented, the fractions of which reform into microsomes, which are subsequently collected from the cell remnants via differential centrifugation. During this process, the numerous different phase I cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are concentrated within the microsomes. The S9 fraction contains microscomes as well as cytosolic phase II metabolism-related enzymes.

With this extensive portfolio of microsomes and S9 fractions, as well as the capability to provide bespoke products, Sera Lab offers researchers the opportunity to match the species, strain and enzyme activity requirements for successful drug metabolism studies.

Sera Lab