INDIGO Biosciences Announces New Assay for Human G Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 1 (GPBAR1; TGR5)


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Because bile acids modulate signaling pathways for several nuclear receptors, this GPCR assay pairs well with INDIGO’s existing assays for Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR), Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR).

Today INDIGO Biosciences announced the release of a new cell-based luciferase reporter assay for the Human G Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 1 (GPBAR1; TGR5).

TGR5 is a bile acid membrane receptor of the GPCR family and is encoded by the GPBAR1 gene. The receptor is implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis by bile acids as well as glucose metabolism. With TGR5’s involvement as a metabolic regulator, this receptor is a potential drug target for diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Besides TGR5’s potential as a target for metabolic diseases, inhibition of the receptor has also been associated with certain cancers. This makes TGR5 a key target for research into a variety of therapeutic strategies.

“Researchers working on pre-clinical drug discovery related to bile acid metabolism and inflammation will find INDIGO’s TGR5 assay very useful,” said Bruce Sherf, PhD, INDIGO’s Chief Technology Officer. “Because bile acids modulate signaling pathways for several nuclear receptors, this GPCR assay pairs well with INDIGO’s existing assays for Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR), Pregnane X Receptor (PXR), and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). By looking at the activity of all these receptors, one can get a fuller picture of on- and off-target effects as well as potential drug-drug interactions that a compound of interest may cause.”

INDIGO’s TGR5 assay kit is all-inclusive, offering everything needed to perform the assay to quantify any functional activities, either activating or inhibitory, that a test compound may exert against TGR5. Included in the kit are TGR5 Reporter Cells, two optimized media for use in recovering the cryopreserved cells and for diluting test samples respectively, the reference activator Lithocholic Acid (LCA), Luciferase Detection Reagents, and a cell culture-ready assay plate.

INDIGO’s Reporter Cells are cryopreserved using INDIGO’s proprietary CryoMite™ process. This cryo-preservation method allows for the immediate dispensing of healthy, division-competent reporter cells into assay-ready plates. There is no need for intermediate treatment steps such as spin-and-rinse of cells, viability determinations or cell titer adjustments prior to assay setup. By including all necessary components, including Reporter Cells, in one easy-to-use kit, INDIGO helps researchers obtain results quickly since there is no need to procure components from multiple sources or to transfect and propagate cells.

INDIGO’s TGR5 assay kit is available in 1 x 96-well and 1 x 384-well formats. Bulk volumes of TGR5 assay reagents are available to accommodate high throughput screening applications. INDIGO can also perform the TGR5 assay in its own lab as a service for researchers.

About INDIGO Biosciences, Inc.

INDIGO Biosciences is a leading provider of cell-based luciferase reporter assays. Our products and services are used in a broad range of industries such as environmental, drug discovery, academia, and contract research organizations. INDIGO assays are available as turnkey kits for use by scientists, or INDIGO can perform the assays in our own lab as a service. INDIGO’s assays have been demonstrated to provide fast, accurate, reproducible results, and we are dedicated to supporting scientists through reliable science, easy-to-use products, and a highly qualified technical support team. Learn more at indigobiosciences.com.

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