Invitrogen™ Tau (Total) Human ELISA Kit

The Invitrogen™ Tau (Total) Human ELISA Kit is a highly sensitive and specific assay designed for the quantitative measurement of Tau protein levels in human serum, plasma, buffered solutions, and cell culture media. This kit recognizes both natural and recombinant human Tau, independent of phosphorylation state, making it essential for research into neurodegenerative diseases, cytoskeletal dynamics, and related disorders.

Principle of the Method

The assay employs a solid-phase sandwich ELISA technique for accurate Tau quantification:

1. Pre-Coated Plate:
   • Microplate wells are pre-coated with a capture antibody specific to Tau.
2. Sample and Standard Addition:
   • Samples, standards, or controls are added to the wells, where Tau binds to the immobilized capture antibody.
3. Detection Antibody Addition:
   • A biotinylated detection antibody specific to Tau forms a sandwich complex.
4. Signal Development:
   • Streptavidin-HRP and a substrate solution react with the enzyme-antibody-target complex, producing a measurable signal proportional to Tau concentration.
5. Measurement:
   • The signal intensity is read at 450 nm using a colorimetric microplate reader.

Key Features

1. Rigorous Validation:
   • Each lot is tested for sensitivity, specificity, precision, and consistency.
2. Phosphorylation Independence:
   • Recognizes Tau irrespective of its phosphorylation state.
3. Wide Application:
   • Measures Tau in various biological fluids including serum, plasma, and cell culture medium.
4. High Sensitivity:
   • Detects low levels of Tau with precision.
5. Ease of Use:
   • Includes all necessary reagents for streamlined workflows.

Applications

• Neurodegenerative Disease Research:
  • Study Tau’s role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Pick's disease, and frontotemporal dementia.
• Cytoskeletal Dynamics Studies:
  • Investigate Tau’s role in microtubule polymerization and stabilization.
• Brain Injury Research:
  • Measure Tau levels as a biomarker for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Therapeutic Development:
  • Evaluate Tau as a target for therapies in neurodegenerative and CNS disorders.
• Drug Screening:
  • Quantify Tau in preclinical and clinical therapeutic studies.

Target Information

Tau Protein:

• Function:
  • Neuronal microtubule-associated protein that promotes tubulin polymerization and stabilizes microtubules.
  • Acts as a linker between axonal microtubules and plasma membrane components.
• Hyper-Phosphorylation:
  • Leads to the formation of paired helical filaments (PHFs), a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Impairs Tau's ability to stabilize microtubules, contributing to neurodegeneration.
• Clinical Relevance:
  • Found in neurofibrillary lesions in AD and other CNS disorders including Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal dementia.

Kit Contents

• Pre-coated 96-well plate
• Tau Standard
• Standard Dilution Buffer
• Biotinylated Detection Antibody
• Streptavidin-HRP
• HRP Diluent
• Wash Buffer
• Chromogen
• Stop Solution
• Adhesive Plate Covers

Storage and Stability

• Storage Conditions: Store all kit components at 2–8°C.
• Shelf Life: Ensure proper storage for long-term reagent stability.

The Invitrogen™ Tau (Total) Human ELISA Kit is an indispensable tool for researchers studying neurodegenerative diseases, cytoskeletal regulation, and Tau-related pathologies. Its rigorous validation, high sensitivity, and ease of use make it ideal for clinical and experimental research applications.