The present invention is related to a retinoid-producing host cell, particularly oleaginous yeast, modified such that the percentage of retinyl acetate based on the total retinoids produced by such host cell is increased during fermentation using triglyceride oils, like for example vegetable oil, as carbon source, wherein the activity of certain endogenous hydrolases or transferases involved in undesired conversions of retinol or retinol acetate is reduced or abolished. Particularly, such modified host cell might be useful in a biotechnological process for production of vitamin A.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that bind hamster phospholipase B-like 2 are provided. Also provided are methods for detecting and quantifying hamster phospholipase B-like 2, for example, in recombinant polypeptide preparations, as well as kits for carrying out such methods. Methods of screening or selecting host cell lines or recombinant polypeptide-expressing cell lines that express low levels of hamster phospholipase B-like 2 are also provided.

Provided is a compound having the structure: (SIG)-(SI-MOD).sub.m
where SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. When MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided are methods of determining whether a sample, such as a cell, comprises an activator, such as a nitroreducase, using the compound. Further provided are methods of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator. A method of detecting a microorganism that comprises a nitroreductase using the compound where nitroreductase is the activator is also provided.

Provided is a compound comprising the structure:

(SIG)-(SI-MOD).sub.m.

In this compound, SIG is a signaling molecule, SI is a self-immolative structure bound to SIG such that SIG has a reduced signal relative to the signal of SIG without SI, MOD is a moiety bound to SI that is subject to modification by an activator, and m is an integer from 1 to about 10. With this compound, when MOD is modified by an activator, SI is destabilized and self-cleaved from SIG such that SIG generates an increased signal. Also provided is a method of determining whether a sample comprises an activator, using the above-described compound. Additionally provided is a method of determining whether a cell comprises a nitroreductase using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator. Further provided is a method of determining whether a mammalian cell is hypoxic using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator. A method of detecting a microorganism that comprises a nitroreductase, using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator, is also provided. Also provided is a method of identifying nitroreductase in a sample, using the above-described compound where nitroreductase is the activator.

A system for the electrochemical detection of triglyceride levels includes a test strip including an electrode and a counter electrode, the electrode and counter electrode located proximate to a sample reception area; and a coating on one of the electrode and counter electrode, the coating including a reagent coating for triglycerides.

Provided herein are methods, systems, and compositions for Lp-PLA2 detection assays that employ amounts of detergent to liberate all or nearly all of the Lp-PLA2 molecules from associated lipoprotein particles. In this regard, the true Lp-PLA2 concentration can be detected in a sample, which correlates better with known Lp-PLA2 activity assays.

Methods of mitigating lipoprotein interference in in vitro diagnostic assays for target hydrophobic analytes are disclosed, as well as compositions, kits, and devices useful in said methods. A pretreatment reagent is utilized that includes at least one enzyme that digests lipoprotein.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) substrates, assays for lysosomal acid lipase using the substrates, and methods for diagnosing diseases and conditions attributable to lysosomal acid lipase deficiency.

The invention relates to new cancer treatment strategies based on the inhibition of acid lipase. In addition, the invention relates to methods for discovering new active substances suitable for cancer therapy.

Methods of mitigating lipoprotein interference in in vitro diagnostic assays for target hydrophobic analytes are disclosed, as well as compositions, kits, and devices useful in said methods. A pretreatment reagent is utilized that includes at least one enzyme that digests lipoprotein.