Methods for Detecting Mutations in the Human JAK2 Gene
Mutations in the JAK2 gene are prevalent in the human myeloid malignancies, being present in virtually all cases of polycythemia vera, and a significant proportion of patients with other myeloproliferative disorders. Various methods for the detection of acquired mutations in this gene are available depending on the need for sensitivity, quantification, or the ability to detect many different mutations. We summarize the various methods published and discuss their relative merits for each application. Two commonly used methods, quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) for the detection of the JAK2 V617F mutation and high resolution...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - January 11, 2013 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
In Vitro JAK Kinase Activity and Inhibition Assays
The discovery that a range of myeloproliferative diseases and leukemias are associated with Janus Kinase (JAK) mutations has highlighted the importance of JAK/STAT signalling in disease and sparked a renewed interest in developing JAK inhibitors. In vitro kinase assays are the most direct and quantitative method to assess mutant forms of JAK for altered enzymatic properties as well as verifying and quantifying the affinity and efficacy of potential inhibitors. Here, we describe protocols for heterologous expression and purification of JAK kinases from insect cells, assays to determine the activity of these purified kinases...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - January 11, 2013 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
