title: A simple rapid fluorescent assay for adenosine deaminase activity.
abstract: A simple, rapid (2 hours), fluorescent test for the activity of blood adenosine deaminase (ADA) is described. The test which can be performed on both heparinized and dried blood, is based on the conversion of adenosine to inosine and ammonium in the presence of ADA. The enzyme activity is visually estimated by the oxidation of NADH (fluorescent) to NAD+ (non-fluorescent) in a coupled reaction with glutamate dehydrogenase. The disappearance of fluorescence indicates ADA activity in the sample. The advantages are discussed of the use of this test for the study of the autosomal recessive severe combined immunodeficiency.
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000175:diagnosis; D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D009700:Nucleoside Deaminases; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase