| abstract |
Prolyl endopeptidase (PE) activity in lung samples is detected by contacting the lung sample with a probe comprising a -P-X- (or -X-P-, -P-X-P-) PE recognition site, wherein P is a prolyl bioisostere, X is a residue that is not a prolyl bioisostere or is a prolyl bioisostere flanked on each side by a residue that is not a prolyl bioisostere, and "-" is an amide bond, under conditions wherein PE activity of the sample specifically hydrolyzes an amide bond of the recognition site to generate an optical signal; and (b) detecting the signal. |