Tech data sheet: AlphaLISA BRD4 (BD2) and H4 K5,8,12Ac Binding Assay Kit

TECHNICAL
DATA SHEET
AlphaLISA® Research Reagents
BRD4 (BD2) and H4 K5,8,12Ac Binding Assay Kit
Product number: AL612C/F
Caution: For Laboratory Use. A research product for research purposes only.
Contents
Page
Product Information
2
Quality Control
2
Description of the AlphaLISA Assay
3
Precautions
3
Kit content: Reagents and Materials
4
Additional Reagents and Materials
4
Recommendations
5
Inhibition Assay Protocol
5
Troubleshooting Guide
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Product Information
Application:
This kit is designed for the detection of binding activity between Bromodomain-containing protein
4, Bromodomain 2: BRD4 (BD2) and acetylated histone H4 peptide (H4 K5,8,12Ac) using a
homogeneous AlphaLISA assay (no wash steps). This assay allows to screen BRD4 inhibitors
with a highly specific substrate.
Sensitivity:
Kd(app): 5.78 nM (average) using 10 nM BRD4 (BD2)
Signal to background ratio:
1432 (average) using 10 nM BRD4 (BD2)
Kit contents:
The kit contains 6 components: GSH conjugated Acceptor beads, Streptavidin-coated Donor
beads, Biotinylated H4 K5,8,12Ac peptide, GST tagged BRD4 (BD2), and AlphaLISA Epigenetics
Buffer 1 and buffer supplement.
Storage:
The kit components must be stored at +4 ˚C in the dark for beads and buffer, and at -80 °C for
protein and peptides
Stability:
This kit is stable for at least 6 months from the manufacturing date when stored in its original
packaging and the recommended storage conditions.
Quality Control
Lot to lot consistency is confirmed in an AlphaLISA assay. Maximum and minimum signals were measured on the
EnVision Multilabel Plate Reader with Alpha option using the protocol described in this technical data sheet. We certify
that these results meet our quality release criteria. Maximum and minimum counts may vary between bead lots and the
instrument used.
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Description of the AlphaLISA Assay
Bromodomains (BRDs) are a class of epigenetic reader molecules that translate the acetylation state of histones into
downstream cell-signaling events. Due to their importance in these physiological processes, bromodomains are
believed to be involved in many disease states, including cancer and atherosclerosis. BRD4, currently the most studied
member of the BET (bromodomain and extra terminal domain) family, contains two tandem bromodomains (BD1 and
BD2) and an extraterminal (ET) domain. BRD4 directly maintains the acetylation state of histones and preferentially
binds to acetylated H3 and H4. The recent discovery of potent and highly specific bromodomain family inhibitors, such
as JQ1, has stimulated intensive research activity, therefore BRD4 has been considered as an important therapeutic
target. This assay can be used to determine the binding activity of BRD4 with acetylated histone H4 peptide and to
measure the inhibition of this binding.
The AlphaLISA detection of epigenetic marks uses glutathione (GSH) AlphaLISA® Acceptor beads to capture the
GST-tagged bromodomains and Streptavidin-coated Donor beads to capture the biotinylated peptide. Donor beads
and Acceptor beads come into proximity through BRD4 binding to the acetylated histone peptide. Excitation of the
Donor beads provokes the release of singlet oxygen that triggers a cascade of energy transfer reactions in the
Acceptor beads, resulting in a sharp peak of light emission at 615 nm (Figure 1).
Figure 1. AlphaLISA assay principle. Note: Here, yellow diamond represents either mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-acetylated
peptides.
Precautions

®
The AlphaScreen Donor beads are light-sensitive. All the other assay reagents can be used under normal light
conditions. All Alpha assays using the Donor beads should be performed under subdued laboratory lighting
(< 100 lux). Green filters (LEE 090 filters (preferred) or Roscolux filters #389 from Rosco) can be applied to light
fixtures.
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Kit Content: Reagents and Materials
AL612C
(500 assay points*)
Kit components
AL612F
(5 000 assay points*)
Glutathione AlphaLISA Acceptor beads stored
20 µL @ 5 mg/mL
in 50 mM Tris pH 8,150 mM NaCl, 0.1%
(1 brown tube, white cap)
Tween-20, 0.05% Proclin-300
Streptavidin (SA)-coated Donor beads stored
in 25 mM HEPES, 100 mM NaCl, 0.05%
Proclin-300, pH 7.4
200 L @ 5 mg/mL
(1 brown tube, white cap)
20 µL @ 5 mg/mL
(1 brown tube, black cap)
200 L @ 5 mg/mL
(1 brown tube, black cap)
5 µg
(1 tube)
10 µg
(1 tube)
EpiCypher (Cat. No. 15-0013)
7 µL @ 1 mg/mL
(1 tube)
70 µL @ 1 mg/mL
(1 tube)
AlphaLISA 5X Epigenetics Buffer 1
10 mL, 1 small bottle
100 mL, 1 large bottle
AlphaLISA 30X Epigenetics Buffer
Supplement
1.7 mL, 1 small bottle
17 mL, 1 large bottle
Biotinylated H4 K5,8,12Ac (Lyophilized)
EpiCypher (Cat. No. 12-0047)
GST tagged BRD4 (BD2)
*The number of assay points is based on an assay volume of 20 µL in 384-well assay plates using the kit components
at the recommended concentrations.
Additional Reagents and Materials
The following items are recommended for the assays:
Item
Supplier
Catalog number
AlphaPlate-384, Shallow Well
(ProxiPlate)*
PerkinElmer
Protein LoBind Tube
Eppendorf
TopSeal™-A Adhesive Sealing Film
PerkinElmer
6050195
EnSpire® or EnVision® Multilabel
Alpha Reader
PerkinElmer
Please consult our website
Tcep hydrochloride
VWR
97064-850
6008350 (50/box)
6008359 (200/box)
022431064(0.5mL)
022431081(1.5mL)
* ProxiPlate-384 Plus, White (6008280) and ProxiPlate-384 HS, Gray (6008270) are suitable for the assay as well.
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The following reagents might be required for particular applications:
Item
Supplier
Catalog number
(+)-JQ1(JQ1)
Tocris
4499
Biotinylated H4 N-terminal peptide
EpiCypher
12-0029
Recommendations

The volume indicated on each tube is guaranteed for single pipetting. Multiple pipetting of the reagents may reduce
the theoretical amount left in the tube. To minimize loss when pipetting beads, it is preferable not to prewet the tip.

Centrifuge quickly all tubes before use to improve recovery of content (2 000 ×g, 10-15 sec). Resuspend all reagents
by gentle mixing before use.

Use Milli-Q® grade H2O (18 MΏ•cm) to dilute 5X Epigenetics Buffer 1.

When reagents are added in the microplate, make sure the liquids are at the bottom of the well by tapping or swirling
the plate gently on a smooth surface.

Small volumes may be prone to evaporation. It is recommended to cover microplates with TopSeal-A Sealing Film to
reduce evaporation during incubation with the Alpha beads. Microplates can be read with the TopSeal-A Film.

The AlphaLISA signal is detected with an EnVision Multilabel Reader equipped with the ALPHA option using the
AlphaScreen standard settings (e.g. Total Measurement Time: 550 ms, Laser 680 nm Excitation Time: 180 ms,
Mirror: D640as (barcode 444), Emission Filter: M570w (barcode 224), Center Wavelength 570 nm, Bandwidth 100
nm, Transmittance 75%).

AlphaLISA signal will vary with temperature and incubation time. For consistent results, identical incubation time and
temperature should be used for each plate.
Inhibition Assay Protocol

Assay specificity can be demonstrated by competing the binding of acetylated histone peptide with the BET-family
inhibitor JQ1 or comparing the binding with non-acetylated lysine peptide (Biotinylated H4 N-terminal peptide).
The inhibition assay described below is an example for determining IC50 of JQ1 inhibition of BRD4 (BD2) protein and
acetylated histone H4 peptide binding in 20 µL final assay volume (42 wells, triplicate determinations) by AlphaLISA
technology. This protocol also includes testing inhibitors in 458 wells. If a different amount of samples are tested, the
volumes of all reagents have to be adjusted accordingly. JQ1 dilution protocol is provided for information only. As needed,
the number of replicates or the range of concentrations covered can be modified.
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1. Preparation of 1x AlphaLISA Epigenetics Buffer 1 (for 10mL)
Mix 2 mL of 5X Epigenetics Buffer 1 and 330 L of 30X buffer supplement, and then add 7.67 mL of ultrapure
water (18 M.cm).
Upon preparation, the Epigenetics Buffer 1 should be used within 16 hours.
2. Preparation of 1x AlphaLISA Epigenetics Buffer 2 (for 10 mL)
Dissolve 2.87 mg TCEP in 1X Epigenetics Buffer 1 (1mM TCEP).
Prepare just before use.
Turbidity may occur in 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2, and this cloudy appearance does not affect the assay.
3. Preparation of serial dilution of JQ1
Add 437.6 L DMSO to 10 mg JQ1 powder (MW=456.99). Vortex until all JQ1 is dissolved in DMSO. This makes
a 50 mM stock of JQ1.
Prepare serial dilutions of 100X JQ1 in DMSO as follows:
Tube
Volume of JQ1
DMSO (μL)
[JQ1] (M) (100X)
A
2 μL of 50 mM stock
98
1E-3
B
30 μL of tube A
70
3E-4
C
30 μL of tube B
60
1E-4
D
30 μL of tube C
70
3E-5
E
30 μL of tube D
60
1E-5
F
30 μL of tube E
70
3E-6
G
30 μL of tube F
60
1E-6
H
30 μL of tube G
70
3E-7
I
30 μL of tube H
60
1E-7
J
30 μL of tube I
70
3E-8
K
30 μL of tube J
60
1E-8
L
30 μL of tube K
70
3E-9
M
30 μL of tube L
60
3E-9
N
30 μL of tube M
70
3E-10
4. Preparation of 10X of JQ1 dilutions in 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2
Add 10 L of each 100X JQ1 dilution shown above into 90 L 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2 (final concentration of
DMSO in these JQ1 dilutions will be 10%).
5. Preparation of 5X BRD4 (BD2) (75nM)
Add 493 L of 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2 to the tube containing 7 L of BRD4 (BD2). Mix well.
Add the 500 L BRD4 (BD2) into 1776 L 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2 to make 75 nM BRD4 (BD2).
Prepare just before use.
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6. Preparation of 5X H4 K5,8,12Ac (75 nM)
Spin the vial containing lyophilized peptide (5 g) briefly in microfuge and reconstitute it with 423 L sterile
distilled water and vortex briefly. This makes 4 M stock of peptide.
Add 37.5 L of H4 K5,8,12Ac (4 M) into 1962.5 L 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2 to make 75 nM peptide.
Prepare just before use.
7. Preparation of 4X GSH Conjugated Acceptor Beads (40 g/mL, 2500 L)
Add 20 µL of 5 mg/mL AlphaLISA GSH conjugated Acceptor beads into 2480 L 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2.
Prepare just before use.
8. Preparation of 4X Streptavidin (SA) Donor Beads (40 g/mL, 2500 L)
Add 20 µL of 5 mg/mL SA-Donor beads into 2480 L 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2.
Keep the beads under subdued laboratory lighting and prepare just before use.
9. In a ProxiPlate (384 wells):
Add 2 µL of 10X JQ1 or test inhibitors (1% DMSO, final)
Add 4 µL of 5X BRD4 (BD2) (15 nM final)
Incubate 10 minutes at RT
Add 4 µL of 5X H4 K5,8,12Ac (15 nM final)
Add 5 µL of 4X GSH conjugated Acceptor beads (10 µg/mL final )
Incubate 60 minutes at RT
Add 5 µL of 4X SA-Donor beads (10 µg/mL final)
Incubate 30 minutes at RT in the dark
Read using EnVision-Alpha Reader
Assay Components
JQ1 or Test Inhibitors
10% DMSO in 1X Epigenetics Buffer 2
GST tagged BRD4 (BD2)
1X Epigenetics Buffer 2
Biotinylated Acetylated peptide
Glutathione AlphaLISA Acceptor beads
Streptavidin (SA)-coated Donor beads
Inhibitor
L
L
L
L
L
Inhibition
Positive Control
L
4 L
4 L
5 L
5 L
Negative Control
L
4 L
4 L
5 L
5 L
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JQ1 Inhibition Data:
AlphaLISA Signal (Counts)
BRD4_BD2 (15nM) vs H4 K5,8,12Ac (15nM)
1%DMSO
1.510 6
1.010 6
5.010 5
0
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
Log [JQ1], M
Figure 2. JQ1 inhibition of BRD4 (BD2) and H4 K5,8,12Ac binding. The JQ1concentration ranges from 3 pM to 10 M.
BRD4 (BD2) and H4 K5,8,12Ac are 15 nM. The IC50 value of 200.8 nM was calculated by using nonlinear regression
fitting with GraphPad Prism 5.
Troubleshooting Guide
You will find below recommendations for common situations that you might encounter with your AlphaLISA Epigenetics
detection assay. If further assistance is needed, do not hesitate to contact our technical support team for assistance.
Issue
Issue Recommendations and Comments
Recommendations and Comments
High background signal


Buffer is not freshly made. Make new.
Incubation time is longer than recommended range.
Low AlphaLISA signal

BRD4 has undergone multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
We do not recommend reusing thawed aliquots of diluted
protein.
DMSO concentration is higher than 1%.
Optimize EnVision with ProxiPlate format.


High variation between replicates or
low Z’ values


Make sure that reagents are at the bottom of the well by
tapping or swirling the plate gently on a smooth surface
after each addition.
Lengthen incubation time with the AlphaScreen Donor
beads up to18 hours before measuring the Alpha signal.
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You will find detailed recommendations for common situations you might encounter with your AlphaLISA Assay kit at:
http://www.perkinelmer.com/in/resources/technicalresources/applicationsupportknowledgebase/alphalisa-alphascreen-nowashassays/alpha_troubleshoot.xhtml
More information on the EpiCypher products used for this kit can be found at:
http://www.epicypher.com/bromodomain-proteins/
http://www.epicypher.com/histone-peptides/
This product is not for resale or distribution except by authorized distributors.
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