Methods of Measuring Enzyme Activity Ex Vivo and In Vivo

Annu Rev Anal Chem (Palo Alto Calif). 2018 Jun 12;11(1):509-533. doi: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061417-125619. Epub 2018 Mar 5.

Abstract

Enzymes catalyze a variety of biochemical reactions in the body and, in conjunction with transporters and receptors, control virtually all physiological processes. There is great value in measuring enzyme activity ex vivo and in vivo. Spatial and temporal differences or changes in enzyme activity can be related to a variety of natural and pathological processes. Several analytical approaches have been developed to meet this need. They can be classified broadly as methods either based on artificial substrates, with the goal of creating images of diseased tissue, or based on natural substrates, with the goal of understanding natural processes. This review covers a selection of these methods, including optical, magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and physical sampling approaches, with a focus on creative chemistry and method development that make ex vivo and in vivo measurements of enzyme activity possible.

Keywords: MALDI mass spectrometry imaging; electroosmotic push-pull perfusion; electroosmotic sampling; fluorogenic; magnetic resonance; microdialysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocatalysis*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Enzyme Assays / methods*
  • Enzymes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • Enzymes