| abstract |
An in vitro assay method permits the identification of a test substance which inhibits the mutual association of two molecules. The method includes the steps of providing two components capable of mutual association, one of said components bearing a covalently linked fluorophore; preparing a mixture containing the two components and at least one test substance; irradiating the mixture with polarized light of a suitable wavelength permitting excitation of the fluorophore as indicated by emission of polarized light; measuring the degree of polarization of the emission, and determining the effect of the presence or concentration of the test substance in decreasing the observed emission polarization of a mixture of the two components alone. Inhibitory activity of the test substance correlates with decreased depolarization values. |