title: A highly sensitive and selective radioimmunoassay for the measurement of neurotensin.
abstract: A highly selective and sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the detection of endogenous neurotensin (NT) has been developed. We have raised a C-terminally-directed antibody (CAb) that specifically binds 'biologically active' NT (NT and NT(8-13)) and that does not significantly cross-react with inactive NT metabolites or other bioactive peptides in the CNS. By reducing the volume of the assay to a low volume-RIA (30 microl), such that in vivo measurements can be made, we have increased the sensitivity (<0.3 fmol per tube), with inter- and intra-assay variations of 11.2 and 5.8%, respectively. Comparisons with similar methods of detecting NT have demonstrated that this RIA has a higher sensitivity than previously used RIA's and ELISA's. The data presented suggests that this sensitive RIA is a reliable method ideal for the detection of small quantities of biologically active NT.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences (E floor), Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Holtom
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wasuntarawat
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aspley
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Needham
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D005260:Female; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D009496:Neurotensin