Recent advances in sulfotransferase enzyme activity assays

Abstract

Sulfotransferases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of sulfo groups from a donor, for example 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate, to an acceptor, for example the amino or hydroxyl groups of a small molecule, xenobiotic, carbohydrate, or peptide. These enzymes are important targets in the design of novel therapeutics for treatment of a variety of diseases. This review examines assays used for this important class of enzyme, paying particular attention to sulfotransferases acting on carbohydrates and peptides and the major challenges associated with their analysis. When a sulfotransferase transfers a sulfo group from PAPS to RXH (X= or NH) substrate the reaction can be assayed using radiometric, photometric, fluorometric or mass spectrometric methods