AlphaLISA Total Histone H4 Cellular Detection Kit, 500 Assay Points

Histone H4 is one of the five main histone proteins involved in the structure of chromatin in eukaryotic cells. Histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 are known as the core histones, while histones H1 is known as the linker histone. Two of each of the core histones assemble to form one octameric nucleosome core and the linker histone H1 binds the nucleosome at the entry and exit sites of the DNA. The nucleosome core is formed of two H2A-H2B dimers and a H3-H4 tetramer. H4 is important for packaging DNA into chromatin and plays a major role in determining the overall structure of chromatin and regulating gene expression.

The AlphaLISA detection of epigenetic marks in cellular extracts is performed as follows: cells cultured in the presence of compounds are lysed with the Cell-Histone Lysis buffer. Histones are then extracted from the nucleosomes by the addition of the Cell-Histone Extraction buffer. The AlphaLISA anti-H4 Acceptor beads and Biotinylated anti-Histone H4 antibodies are then added for the capture of histone proteins. After incubation, Streptavidin Donor beads are added for the capture of the biotinylated antibody. In the presence of histone H4 proteins, the beads come into proximity. Excitation of the Donor beads provokes the release of singlet oxygen molecules that trigger a cascade of energy transfer reactions in the Acceptor beads, resulting in a sharp peak of light emission at 615 nm.