Aconitase (aconitate hydratase; EC 4.2.1.3) is an iron-sulfur protein containing a [Fe4S4]2+ cluster that catalyzes the stereo-specific isomerization of citrate to isocitrate via cis-aconitate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, a non-redox-active process. In tissue extracts there are actually two aconitases, a mitochondrial (m-) aconitase and a cytosolic (c-) aconitase. They are related, but distinctly different enzymes and are coded for on different chromosomes. Loss of aconitase activity in cells or in biological samples treated with pro-oxidants has been interpreted as a measure of oxidative damage. BioVision’s Aconitase Assay Kit provides a highly sensitive, simple, direct and HTS-ready colorimetric assay for measuring Aconitase activity in biological samples. In the assay, citrate is catalyzed by aconitase into isocitrate, and then the Isocitrate catalyzed by isocitrate dehydrogenase, to form α-ketoglutarate in present of NAD+/NADP+. The increase of NADH/NADPH can be detected by developer and can be measure at O.D. 450 nm.
