Product Name:	Human UCN / Urocortin ELISA Kit
Product Code:	HUFI01819
Size:	96 Assays
Alias:	UCN, Urocortin, UI, UROC, urocortin, preproprotein, UROCUI
Detection method:	Sandwich ELISA, Double Antibody
Application:	This immunoassay kit allows for the in vitro quantitative determination of Human UCN concentrations in serum plasma and other biological fluids.
Sensitivity:	9.375pg/ml
Range:	15.625-1000pg/ml
Storage:	4°C for 6 months
Note:	For Research Use Only

Recovery:

Matrices listed below were spiked with certain level of Human UCN and the recovery rates were calculated by comparing the measured value to the expected amount of Human UCN in samples.

Matrix	Recovery range(%)	Average(%)
serum(n=5)	85-101	94
EDTA plasma(n=5)	93-104	99
UFH plasma(n=5)	89-104	98

Linearity:

The linearity of the kit was assayed by testing samples spiked with appropriate concentration of Human UCN and their serial dilutions. The results were demonstrated by the percentage of calculated concentration to the expected.

Sample	1:2	1:4	1:8
serum(n=5)	87-101%	85-104%	85-105%
EDTA plasma(n=5)	83-96%	94-97%	87-99%
UFH plasma(n=5)	80-97%	85-98%	82-98%

CV(%):

Intra-Assay: CV<8%
Inter-Assay: CV<10%

Component	Quantity	Storage
ELISA Microplate (Dismountable)	8×12 strips	4°C for 6 months
Lyophilized Standard	2	4°C/-20°C
Sample/Standard Dilution Buffer	20ml	4°C
Biotin-labeled Antibody(Concentrated)	120ul	4°C (Protect from light)
Antibody Dilution Buffer	10ml	4°C
HRP-Streptavidin Conjugate(SABC)	120ul	4°C (Protect from light)
SABC Dilution Buffer	10ml	4°C
TMB Substrate	10ml	4°C (Protect from light)
Stop Solution	10ml	4°C
Wash Buffer(25X)	30ml	4°C
Plate Sealer	5	-

Other materials and equipment required:

Microplate reader with 450 nm wavelength filter
Multichannel Pipette, Pipette, microcentrifuge tubes and disposable pipette tips
Incubator
Deionized or distilled water
Absorbent paper
Buffer resevoir

Uniprot

P55089

UniProt Protein Function:	UCN: Acts in vitro to stimulate the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Binds with high affinity to CRF receptor types 1, 2-alpha, and 2-beta. Belongs to the sauvagine/corticotropin-releasing factor/urotensin I family.
UniProt Protein Details:	Protein type:Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 2p23.3 Cellular Component: dendrite; extracellular region; perikaryon; nerve terminal Molecular Function:corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 binding; neuropeptide hormone activity; histone deacetylase inhibitor activity; protein binding; corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 binding Biological Process: regulation of synaptic transmission, glutamatergic; positive regulation of translation; negative regulation of hormone secretion; drinking behavior; response to glucocorticoid stimulus; positive regulation of collagen biosynthetic process; response to pain; negative regulation of cell size; female pregnancy; pancreatic juice secretion; positive regulation of vasodilation; negative regulation of appetite; response to estradiol stimulus; positive regulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion; sensory perception of sound; neuropeptide signaling pathway; positive regulation of cAMP biosynthetic process; negative regulation of blood pressure; inflammatory response; associative learning; neurite development; negative regulation of histone deacetylation; activation of protein kinase A; positive regulation of interleukin-6 production; social behavior; positive regulation of cell growth; positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation; positive regulation of vascular permeability; G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway; aerobic respiration; response to oxidative stress; positive regulation of DNA replication; negative regulation of apoptosis
NCBI Summary:	This gene encodes a member of the sauvagine/corticotropin-releasing factor/urotensin I family. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature peptide, an endogenous ligand for both corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2. In the brain this peptide may be responsible for the effects of stress on appetite. This peptide may also play a role in mood disorders, neurodegeneration, and skeletal system disorders. In spite of the gene family name similarity, the product of this gene has no sequence similarity to urotensin-2. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]
UniProt Code:	P55089
NCBI GenInfo Identifier:	1718059
NCBI Gene ID:	7349
NCBI Accession:	P55089.1
UniProt Related Accession:	P55089
Molecular Weight:
NCBI Full Name:	Urocortin
NCBI Synonym Full Names:	urocortin
NCBI Official Symbol:	UCN
NCBI Official Synonym Symbols:	UI; UROC
NCBI Protein Information:	urocortin
UniProt Protein Name:	Urocortin
Protein Family:	Urocortin
UniProt Gene Name:	UCN
UniProt Entry Name:	UCN1_HUMAN

*Note: Protocols are specific to each batch/lot. For the correct instructions please follow the protocol included in your kit.

Before adding to wells, equilibrate the SABC working solution and TMB substrate for at least 30 min at 37°C. When diluting samples and reagents, they must be mixed completely and evenly. It is recommended to plot a standard curve for each test.

Step	Protocol
1.	Set standard, test sample and control (zero) wells on the pre-coated plate respectively, and then, record their positions. It is recommended to measure each standard and sample in duplicate. Wash plate 2 times before adding standard, sample and control (zero) wells!
2.	Aliquot 0.1ml standard solutions into the standard wells.
3.	Add 0.1 ml of Sample / Standard dilution buffer into the control (zero) well.
4.	Add 0.1 ml of properly diluted sample ( Human serum, plasma, tissue homogenates and other biological fluids.) into test sample wells.
5.	Seal the plate with a cover and incubate at 37 °C for 90 min.
6.	Remove the cover and discard the plate content, clap the plate on the absorbent filter papers or other absorbent material. Do NOT let the wells completely dry at any time. Wash plate X2.
7.	Add 0.1 ml of Biotin- detection antibody working solution into the above wells (standard, test sample & zero wells). Add the solution at the bottom of each well without touching the side wall.
8.	Seal the plate with a cover and incubate at 37°C for 60 min.
9.	Remove the cover, and wash plate 3 times with Wash buffer. Let wash buffer rest in wells for 1 min between each wash.
10.	Add 0.1 ml of SABC working solution into each well, cover the plate and incubate at 37°C for 30 min.
11.	Remove the cover and wash plate 5 times with Wash buffer, and each time let the wash buffer stay in the wells for 1-2 min.
12.	Add 90 µl of TMB substrate into each well, cover the plate and incubate at 37°C in dark within 10-20 min. (Note: This incubation time is for reference use only, the optimal time should be determined by end user.) And the shades of blue can be seen in the first 3-4 wells (with most concentrated standard solutions), the other wells show no obvious color.
13.	Add 50 µl of Stop solution into each well and mix thoroughly. The color changes into yellow immediately.
14.	Read the O.D. absorbance at 450 nm in a microplate reader immediately after adding the stop solution.

When carrying out an ELISA assay it is important to prepare your samples in order to achieve the best possible results. Below we have a list of procedures for the preparation of samples for different sample types.

Sample Type	Protocol
Serum	If using serum separator tubes, allow samples to clot for 30 minutes at room temperature. Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 1,000x g. Collect the serum fraction and assay promptly or aliquot and store the samples at -80°C. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles. If serum separator tubes are not being used, allow samples to clot overnight at 2-8°C. Centrifuge for 10 minutes at 1,000x g. Remove serum and assay promptly or aliquot and store the samples at -80°C. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
Plasma	Collect plasma using EDTA or heparin as an anticoagulant. Centrifuge samples at 4°C for 15 mins at 1000 × g within 30 mins of collection. Collect the plasma fraction and assay promptly or aliquot and store the samples at -80°C. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Note: Over haemolysed samples are not suitable for use with this kit.
Urine & Cerebrospinal Fluid	Collect the urine (mid-stream) in a sterile container, centrifuge for 20 mins at 2000-3000 rpm. Remove supernatant and assay immediately. If any precipitation is detected, repeat the centrifugation step. A similar protocol can be used for cerebrospinal fluid.
Cell culture supernatant	Collect the cell culture media by pipette, followed by centrifugation at 4°C for 20 mins at 1500 rpm. Collect the clear supernatant and assay immediately.
Cell lysates	Solubilize cells in lysis buffer and allow to sit on ice for 30 minutes. Centrifuge tubes at 14,000 x g for 5 minutes to remove insoluble material. Aliquot the supernatant into a new tube and discard the remaining whole cell extract. Quantify total protein concentration using a total protein assay. Assay immediately or aliquot and store at ≤ -20 °C.
Tissue homogenates	The preparation of tissue homogenates will vary depending upon tissue type. Rinse tissue with 1X PBS to remove excess blood & homogenize in 20ml of 1X PBS (including protease inhibitors) and store overnight at ≤ -20°C. Two freeze-thaw cycles are required to break the cell membranes. To further disrupt the cell membranes you can sonicate the samples. Centrifuge homogenates for 5 mins at 5000xg. Remove the supernatant and assay immediately or aliquot and store at -20°C or -80°C.
Tissue lysates	Rinse tissue with PBS, cut into 1-2 mm pieces, and homogenize with a tissue homogenizer in PBS. Add an equal volume of RIPA buffer containing protease inhibitors and lyse tissues at room temperature for 30 minutes with gentle agitation. Centrifuge to remove debris. Quantify total protein concentration using a total protein assay. Assay immediately or aliquot and store at ≤ -20 °C.
Breast Milk	Collect milk samples and centrifuge at 10,000 x g for 60 min at 4°C. Aliquot the supernatant and assay. For long term use, store samples at -80°C. Minimize freeze/thaw cycles.