What Are the Common Assays for β Galactosidase Detection?
Several assays are available for detecting β Galactosidase activity in histological samples:
X-gal Staining: This histochemical assay uses the substrate X-gal, which, when cleaved by β Galactosidase, produces a blue precipitate, allowing for the visualization of enzyme activity in tissue sections. Fluorescein Di-β-D-galactopyranoside (FDG) Assay: This fluorogenic substrate yields a fluorescent product upon cleavage by β Galactosidase, which can be detected using fluorescence microscopy. ONPG Assay: This colorimetric assay uses ONPG (o-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside) as a substrate. Cleavage by β Galactosidase produces a yellow product that can be measured spectrophotometrically.