The disclosure describes the effects of transcription mediated from a promoter on the transcription mediated by divergently coupled supercoiling-sensitive promoter. Transcription initiated from a promoter inhibits transcription mediated by a specific supercoiling-sensitive promoter that is divergently coupled to the promoter. A gyrase inhibitor relieves this inhibition and substantially increases the transcription mediated by the specific supercoiling-sensitive promoter that is divergently coupled to another promoter. Accordingly, the invention pertains to a method for identifying a compound as a gyrase inhibitor or not a gyrase inhibitor based on differential expression of genes under the control of divergently coupled promoters in the presence of the compound. Another embodiment of the invention provides an assay for identifying one or more compounds from a library of compounds as a gyrase inhibitor. Polynucleotides and cells containing such polynucleotides that are suitable for carrying out the methods described herein are also provided.

The disclosure describes the effects of transcription mediated from a promoter on the transcription mediated by divergently coupled supercoiling-sensitive promoter. Transcription initiated from a promoter inhibits transcription mediated by a specific supercoiling-sensitive promoter that is divergently coupled to the promoter. A gyrase inhibitor relieves this inhibition and substantially increases the transcription mediated by the specific supercoiling-sensitive promoter that is divergently coupled to another promoter. Accordingly, the invention pertains to a method for identifying a compound as a gyrase inhibitor or not a gyrase inhibitor based on differential expression of genes under the control of divergently coupled promoters in the presence of the compound. Another embodiment of the invention provides an assay for identifying one or more compounds from a library of compounds as a gyrase inhibitor. Polynucleotides and cells containing such polynucleotides that are suitable for carrying out the methods described herein are also provided.

A method for detecting an analyte is described in which the simultaneously binding of two fusion proteins (i.e., a sandwich assay in solution) is used, bringing two halves of a split enzyme together to produce product, which is detected via a FRET-based biosensor. The method may incorporate an autocatalytic feedback loop that responds to enzymatic product by producing more product to provide ultrasensitive, bistable detection of analyte that is tunable over several orders of magnitude. This system is broadly applicable for protein and small molecule detection.

A method for detecting an analyte is described in which the simultaneously binding of two fusion proteins (i.e., a sandwich assay in solution) is used, bringing two halves of a split enzyme together to produce product, which is detected via a FRET-based biosensor. The method may incorporate an autocatalytic feedback loop that responds to enzymatic product by producing more product to provide ultrasensitive, bistable detection of analyte that is tunable over several orders of magnitude. This system is broadly applicable for protein and small molecule detection.

A detection system for determining alpha-methylacyl-CoA (AMACR) levels in a bodily sample includes at least one reaction solution for generating H.sub.2O.sub.2 upon combination with AMACR in the bodily sample and a biosensor for determining a level of generated H.sub.2O.sub.2. The reaction solution includes a (2R)-2-methylacyl-CoA epimer that can be chirally inverted by AMACR to a (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA epimer and an enzyme that carries out beta oxidation with the (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA epimer to generate hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2).

A detection system for determining alpha-methylacyl-CoA (AMACR) levels in a bodily sample includes at least one reaction solution for generating H.sub.2O.sub.2 upon combination with AMACR in the bodily sample and a biosensor for determining a level of generated H.sub.2O.sub.2. The reaction solution includes a (2R)-2-methylacyl-CoA epimer that can be chirally inverted by AMACR to a (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA epimer and an enzyme that carries out beta oxidation with the (2S)-2-methylacyl-CoA epimer to generate hydrogen peroxide (H.sub.2O.sub.2).

The present disclosure provides methods and reagents useful for analyzing protein-protein interfaces such as interfaces between a presenter protein (e.g., a member of the FKBP family, a member of the cyclophilin family, or PIN1) and a target protein. In some embodiments, the target and/or presenter proteins are intracellular proteins. In some embodiments, the target and/or presenter proteins are mammalian proteins.

The present disclosure provides methods and reagents useful for analyzing protein-protein interfaces such as interfaces between a presenter protein (e.g., a member of the FKBP family, a member of the cyclophilin family, or PIN1) and a target protein. In some embodiments, the target and/or presenter proteins are intracellular proteins. In some embodiments, the target and/or presenter proteins are mammalian proteins.

To provide a method for quickly and accurately evaluating a condition of skin dryness and a method for efficiently searching a substance to improve dry skin. A method for evaluating a condition of skin dryness, the method comprising measuring the expression levels of AGR2 and/or AGR3 in skin cells collected from subjects.

To provide a method for quickly and accurately evaluating a condition of skin dryness and a method for efficiently searching a substance to improve dry skin. A method for evaluating a condition of skin dryness, the method comprising measuring the expression levels of AGR2 and/or AGR3 in skin cells collected from subjects.