The Development of an Assay for Measuring Polyphosphate
Polyphosphate (polyP), an inorganic polymer of orthophosphates (Pi), has been identified in all living organisms. In humans polyP is released upon blood platelet stimulation along with monophosphate, ADP, and ATP. It is hypothesized that the amount of polyP released could vary depending on certain factors. Because monophosphate, ADP, and ATP are released along with polyP, it is vital to develop a method for measuring polyP accurately in the presence of these molecules. The metachromatic assay was employed, and results indicated monophosphate, ADP, and ATP did not impact the quantification of polyP. This technique, therefore, can be applied to measure polyP in various blood samples which may contain these substances at various concentrations. By quantifying polyP, it can be determined if genetics or disease influences the amount of polyP being released from platelets. Moreover, this method will aid in the extensive studying of polyP's influence in the blood coagulation cascade.
School:
Rust College
Department:
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor:
Jim H. Morrissey
Department of Research Advisor:
Biochemistry
Year of Publication:
2006