Detection of p56(lck) kinase activity using scintillation proximity assay in 384-well format and imaging proximity assay in 384- and 1536-well format

p56(lck) is a lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase that plays an important role in both T-cell maturation and activation. We have developed a homogeneous assay in which p56(lck) catalyzes the transfer of the gamma-phosphate group from [gamma-(33)P]ATP to a biotinylated peptide substrate. The labeled peptide is then captured on a streptavidin-coated scintillation proximity assay (SPA) bead or imaging proximity bead. The SPA is counted in a microplate scintillation counter and the imaging proximity assay is counted in a charge-coupled device-based imaging system called LEADseekertrade mark, recently launched as a homogeneous imaging system by Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. We show, via time-dependence assays and inhibitor studies, that this assay can be performed in 1536-well microplate format using imaging proximity as the method of detection. The results compare favorably with the same assay performed in 384-well microplate format using both SPA and imaging proximity as the detection methods. From this study, we conclude that a kinase assay can be performed in 384- and 1536-well format using imaging as the detection method, with significant time savings over standard scintillation counting. In addition, we show cost saving advantages of 1536- over 384-well format in terms of reagent usage, higher throughput, and waste disposal.