June 15, 2026

A model protein for pore-forming toxin research

Listeriolysin O is a cholesterol-dependent, thiol-activated pore-forming cytolysin secreted by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. LLO binds cholesterol-containing membranes and, under acidic conditions, assembles into pore-forming oligomers that disrupt the phagosomal membrane, enabling bacterial escape into the host-cell cytosol. Its pH-dependent activity makes LLO an important model for investigating membrane recognition, pore formation, cytolysin function, and bacterial pathogenesis.

Research-ready recombinant LLO

Aurora Biolabs recombinant LLO (Catalog No. 232556) is produced in E. coli with a C-terminal 6xHis tag. The protein has a molecular weight of 57.0 kDa and is supplied at >95% purity by SDS-PAGE. It is formulated in PBS containing imidazole, glycerol, and beta-mercaptoethanol at pH 6.5 and is available in 10 microgram, 50 microgram, and 100 microgram sizes.

Key research applications

·       Activity assays and pH-dependent toxin studies

·       Membrane-binding and pore-formation assays

·     Host-pathogen interaction research

·  Cytosolic delivery research: because LLO can disrupt endosomal and phagosomal membranes, researchers study it as a tool to help deliver proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and other cargo into the cytosol

·       Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and antibody-toxin conjugate research: LLO may be investigated as a membrane-disrupting payload in targeted delivery and conjugate-development studies

·       Antibody discovery and characterization

·       Epitope mapping

·       ELISA and Western blot

·       Structural and functional studies

June. 15, 2026

The KRAS gene plays important roles in cell division, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. We offer an assortment of KRAS recombinant protein, kits, and services to advance your research and drug discovery needs.

• Kras wild-type and mutants (G12A, Q61H,Q61R, Q61K) (apo)

• Kras wild-type and mutants ((G12A, Q61H,Q61R, Q61K) + GDP loaded

• Kras wild-type and mutants (G12A, Q61H,Q61R, Q61K) + GppNHp loaded (for activity binding assay)

• Kras wild-type and mutants (G12A, Q61H,Q61R, Q61K) TR-FRET based Nucleotide exchange assay kits

• Kras wild-type and mutants (G12A, Q61H,Q61R, Q61K) TR-FRET based Kras -cRAF binding assay

• Kras assay services (Compound screening and profiling)

• Human recombinant SOS1 and cRAF

KRAS Nucleotide exchange assay

Our Nucleotide exchange assay for our kits/service is a TR-FRET based assay. The assay kit is designed to detect the GTP binding status of Kras in the presence of SOS1, a known Kras Guanine exchange factor. The Kras in our assay has a GST tag, that can bind to a Terbium-labeled anti-GST antibody (HTRF donor). If the Kras binds to a fluorescence-labeled GTP (HTRF acceptor), the donor and the acceptor will be brought in close proximity. Excitation of Terbium (340 nm) generates fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to fluorescence-labeled GTP acceptor, which emits specific fluorescence at 665 nm (figure below). Thus, GTP binding to the Kras can be quantitively measured by calculation of fluorescent ratio of 665 nm/620 nm.

Graphical Represntation of KRAS Nucleotide Exchange Assay Principle

Kras-cRAF binding assay

The Kras-cRAF binding assay is a TR-FRET based assay. In this assay, Kras is loaded with GppNHp, representing the activated Kras. The assay kit is designed to detect binding between Kras and cRAF. The Kras in this assay kit has a GST tag, that can bind to a Terbium-labeled anti-GST antibody (HTRF donor), and cRAF in this assay kit has a His tag, that can bind to a fluorescence-labeled anti-His antibody (HTRF acceptor). The binding of Kras with cRAF results in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the HTRF donor to the HTRF acceptor when the donor is activated allowing cRAF binding to be measured.

Graphical Represntation of Kras-cRAF Binding Assay Principle

June 15, 2026

Aurora Biolabs has expanded its recombinant protein portfolio with five high-purity human and cynomolgus TfR1/CD71 formats. Multiple His-tag configurations support antibody discovery, binding studies, cross-reactivity testing, and blood-brain barrier drug delivery research.

TfR1/CD71 in iron uptake and targeted delivery research

TfR1/CD71 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein and the primary receptor for cellular uptake of transferrin-bound iron. Receptor-mediated endocytosis and high expression in rapidly dividing cells make TfR1 an important target in oncology, immunology, antibody development, and BBB shuttle research. Human proteins support antibody screening and binding characterization, while cynomolgus proteins support cross-reactivity and translational studies.

Key research applications

·      Antibody discovery and screening

·      Binding affinity characterization

·      Epitope mapping

·      ELISA, Western blot, and protein characterization

·      TfR1-targeting therapeutic development

·      BBB shuttle and targeted drug delivery research

·      Human-cynomolgus cross-reactivity studies

·      Preclinical translational research

Jan. 28, 2026

Aurora Biolabs begins 2026 strong with the launch of three innovative assay kits designed to support high-throughput drug discovery: the CDK2/CyclinE1 Kinase Assay Kit, CDK2/CyclinA2 Kinase Assay Kit, and the CTLA-4:B7-1 Inhibitor Screening Assay Kit.

The CDK2/Cyclin E1 and CDK2/Cyclin A2 Kinase Assay Kits are no-wash, luminescence-based assays that utilize firefly luciferase to quantify residual ATP at the completion of kinase reactions. Optimized for 384-well plate formats, these assays are easily scalable for high-throughput screening applications, enabling efficient evaluation of kinase inhibitors.

The CTLA-4:B7-1 Inhibitor Screening Assay Kit is a no-wash TR-FRET–based assay, also designed for 384-well plates and readily adaptable to high-throughput inhibitor screening workflows. This assay supports the discovery and characterization of immune checkpoint modulators targeting the CTLA-4 pathway.

Together, these three assay kits provide powerful tools for researchers pursuing next-generation kinase therapeutics and immune-based drugs.
“We launched these three assay kits in January 2026 not because they are easy, but because they are important,” said COO May Zheng, MD at Aurora Biolabs.

Oct. 01, 2025

Aurora Biolabs today launched AiTEV™, an artificially engineered Tobacco Etch Virus protease. AiTEV™ is more active - at least 2 times more active than wild type (WT)/native Tobacco Etch Virus protease, highly site-specific, and significantly more stable than WT.

“This engineered version of Tobacco Etch Virus protease, AiTEV™, will bring significant advantages to large-scale biologics production, where purification tags are necessary to be removed post-purification,” says Dr. Kevin Duprez, Project Director of Aurora Biolabs.

For more information about AiTEV™, visit www.aurorabiolabs.com or contact sales@aurorabiolabs.com.

AiTEV™ Advantages:

-Highly Active

-Highly Site-Specific

-Highly Stable

Aug. 18, 2025

Aurora Biolabs is pleased to announce a new analytical service for determining IC₅₀ (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) and EC₅₀ (half-maximal effective concentration) values for your compounds using our in-house developed KRAS (Product Page) and other TR-FRET assay kits.

Service Highlights:

• Assay Platform: Aurora Biolabs’ validated KRAS assay kit with proven sensitivity and reproducibility.

• Sample Requirement: 10 μL of compound at 10 mM concentration in DMSO or a dry powder.

• Turnaround Time: Results delivered within 48 hours after sample receipt.

• Pricing: $200 per duplicated assay — service fee only.

• Output: Comprehensive report including raw data, assay curves, and calculated IC₅₀/EC₅₀ values.

With this service, customers can rapidly evaluate compound potency, compare analog series, and accelerate decision-making in drug discovery programs.

Contact Us today to discuss your project needs or request a quotation.
📧 info@aurorabiolabs.com
🌐 www.aurorabiolabs.com

Jul. 30, 2025

TEV Activity Assay Kit has a wide range of applications. One of the popular uses is for optimizing cleavage conditions. Using Aurora Biolabs TEV Activity Assay Kit, factors that affect TEV activity, such as buffer composition, temperature, pH, reducing agents, or additives, can be tested and optimized. More applications can be found on the product brochure. Download a copy under the Resources tab.

The Aurora Biolabs Assay Development Team has more half a century of collective experience. Some have worked for companies that are well-recognized in the industry. All technical issues are addressed and resolved by the same scientists in a timely and effective manner. Contact sales@aurorabiolabs.com for a quote.

Assay Mechanism & Performance

Jul. 23, 2025

PARP1/PARP2 is often overexpressed in various cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, lung, and glioblastoma. This overexpression is thought to support tumor cell survival. Some PARP inhibitors not only block the catalytic activity of PARP1/PARP2 but also trap PARP1/PARP2 on DNA at sites of damage, preventing its release. This creates a toxic DNA-protein complex that interferes with DNA replication and repair, leading to cell death, particularly in cancer cells deficient in homologous recombination repair (e.g., BRCA1/2-mutant cells).

Asssay Mechanism & Performance

May. 19, 2025

PD-1 and OX40 and corresponding ligands PD-L1 and OX40L, respectively, are attractive drug targets for immunotherapy. Aurora Biolabs has developed and manufactured TR-FRET assays for more than a decade. TR-FRET assays are know to be more sensitive than traditional enzyme-based assays due to the lanthanide-based donor fluorophores, which have long fluorescence lifetimes, and time-resolved detection, which minimizes background fluorescence interference.

Mar. 28, 2025

Aurora Biolabs, a recognized leader in RAS-targeted protein production, assay development, and co-crystal structure determination, has announced the launch of the industry’s first binding assay for screening KRAS G12D/Cyclophilin A (CypA)/inhibitor tri-complexes. This milestone represents a significant leap in accelerating drug discovery for one of the most critical oncogenic targets in cancer biology.

KRAS mutations—particularly G12D—are frequently implicated in lung, colon, and pancreatic cancers, locking RAS proteins in a constitutively active GTP-bound "ON" state. These mutant proteins drive unchecked cell proliferation and tumor growth by persistently activating downstream effector pathways. While RAS has long been considered "undruggable," the emergence of tri-complex inhibitors offers a transformative approach. Revolution Medicines has pioneered this field with macrocyclic compounds that first bind Cyclophilin A, then selectively engage RAS(ON) to form a tri-complex that sterically blocks effector interaction.

To support the development of this next generation of RAS(ON) inhibitors, Aurora Biolabs now offers a proprietary binding assay capable of quantifying the formation of the KRAS G12D/CypA/inhibitor tri-complex. This assay delivers rapid, reliable data essential for screening compound libraries and optimizing drug candidates targeting the oncogenic RAS state. It complements Aurora's extensive toolkit, including high-quality KRAS mutant proteins, assay kits, and structure determination services, forming a complete solution for RAS-targeted drug discovery.

“Our goal is to deliver the fastest and most accurate tools to support KRAS-targeted therapy development,” said Dr. May Zheng, the project manager of Aurora Biolabs. “By enabling researchers to directly assess tri-complex formation in vitro, we are bridging a critical gap in translational oncology and accelerating the path toward effective therapies for KRAS-driven cancers.”

Aurora Biolabs invites collaboration with biotech and pharmaceutical partners aiming to explore or expand their RAS inhibitor pipelines. With the introduction of this cutting-edge assay, the company solidifies its position at the forefront of RAS drug discovery support.

For more information, visit www.aurorabiolabs.com or contact the Aurora Biolabs team at info@aurorabiolabs.com.

Oct. 07, 2024

Affinity tags are highly effective tools used for the expression and purification of recombinant proteins. However, these tags are not meant to be permanent fixtures on their respective recombinant proteins. Therefore, removal of an affinity tag is essential for further structural and functional studies of a specific protein.

• PreScission Protease (HRV 3C Protease) (Ready to use)

• Recombinant SUMO Protease (ULP1) (Ready to use)

• TEV Protease (Ready to use)

Apr. 02, 2022

SARS-CoV-2, the viral agent responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is composed of an assortment of gene products critical to the viral lifecycle. We offer an assortment of SARS-CoV-2 recombinant proteins, kits, and services to advance your research and drug discovery needs.

• SARS-CoV-2 Main/3CL Protease

• SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Assay Kit

• Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease

• SARS-CoV-2 PLpro Assay Kit

• Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Helicase

• Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 NSP7

• Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 NSP8

About SARS-CoV-2 Protease assays:

Our protease activity assays for our kits/service are FRET based assays. The assay kits are designed to detect the cleavage of peptide substrates specific for the protease of interest, either Mpro or PLpro, and is designed for inhibitor screening applications. In general, the assay is fast and convenient, and requires just two steps. In the first step, the protease enzyme is preincubated with inhibitor for 30 minutes. The reaction is initiated by adding protease substrate at the second step. Fluorescence intensity is measured with a fluorescent plate reader at the excitation wavelengths of 340-360 nm and emission wavelengths of 460-480 nm.