FcUni-RLuc: an engineered Renilla luciferase with Fc binding ability and light emission activity.

A novel and advanced Fc-binding probe – FcUni-RLuc namely – has been produced and functionally assayed for labelling IgGs. The Fc antibody binding sequence – HWRGWV – was fused to Renilla luciferase, and the purified probe was employed for bioluminescence enzyme-linked immunoabsorbance assay of Her2 positive cells.

Alkaptonuria and lumbar disc herniation. Report of three cases.

Alkaptonuria is a rare metabolic disease caused by deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase and characterized by bluish-black discoloration of cartilages and skin (ochronosis). The authors report the cases of three patients with lumbar disc herniation who underwent discectomy and in whom the nucleus pulposus was discovered to be black. Alkaptonuria was diagnosed after discectomy.