The biological activity of Vav1 DHPHC1 can be determined from its ability to catalyze nucleotide exchange on Rac1 using the nucleotide exchange assay of Bodipy-GDP for excess GDP or GTP. Rac1 protein is pre-loaded with Bodipy-FL-GDP by adding excess EDTA e.g. 0.7 mmol EDTA per mmol Mg2+ ions present in the reaction. This sub-stock solution is then used in a dissociation assay format which indicates competition for the exchange site with unlabeled nucleotide. The reaction is monitored by fluorescence measurement at 485nm Ex / 535nm Em. Stringent quality control ensures that the exchange rate of Bodipy-GDP or mant-GDP is enhanced at least five fold in the presence of 0.8 uM Vav1.
Reagents
1. Vav1 DHPHC1 protein (Cat. # CS-GE05)
2. Rac1, 2 or 3 protein (Cat. # RC01, CS-RC02 or CS-RC03)
3. Exchange buffer 2 (20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 50 mM NaCl, 1 mM DTT, 2 mM EDTA, 100 ug/ml BSA, and 0.75 uM Bodipy-FL-GDP), note - make fresh.
4. 50 mM MgCl2in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 50 mM NaCl.
5. 5 mM GTP in 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 50 mM NaCl.
Equipment
1. Fluorescence spectrometer (?ex=485nm, ?em=525nm, both with< 15nm bandwidth)
2. Corning 96-well half area plates (Cat # 3686) or other plate with low protein binding surface.