Description
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric/Fluorometric,
Sample types:Tissue Lysate, Urine, Plasma, Serum, Other biological fluids, Cell Lysate,
Assay type:Quantitative,
Range:1 - 200 µM,
Assay time:30m,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader
Product details:
L-Carnitine Assay Kit is a simple convenient means of measuring free L-Carnitine in biological samples such as serum. The assay transfers an acetyl group from CoA to carnitine and the free CoA formed is further processed with subsequent oxidation of the OxiRed probe to give fluorescence (Ex/Em 535 nm 587 nm) and absorbance (570 nm). The normal range for serum L-Carnitine is ~20-100 uM. The detection sensitivity is ~1 uM for the fluorometric assay and ~10 uM for the colorimetric assay.
Other Notes
This product was previously called K642 L-Carnitine Colorimetric/Fluorometric Assay Kit. Biovision was acquired by Abcam in 2021.
Carnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. It is required for transport of fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix via the carnitine/acylcarnitine shuttle where beta-oxidation occurs, acetate is generated and the acetate utilized in the TCA cycle for the generation of energy. L-Carnitine is often sold as a nutritional supplement. Carnitine exists in two stereoisomers. Only L-carnitine is biologically active.
REACH authorisation
Abcam has not and does not intend to apply for the REACH Authorisation of customers' uses of products that contain European Authorisation list (Annex XIV) substances.
It is the responsibility of our customers to check the necessity of application of REACH Authorisation, and any other relevant authorisations, for their intended uses.
Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions--20°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions--20°C, Storage information--20°C
Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
L-Carnitine also known as levocarnitine is a quaternary ammonium compound involved in metabolism with an approximate mass of 161.2 g/mol. It facilitates the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation serving a critical role as part of the carnitine shuttle. L-Carnitine is expressed predominantly in tissues with high metabolic activity including heart and skeletal muscles. The compound closely relates to the carnitine acetyltransferase enzyme which aids in the transport of acetyl groups across biological membranes.
Biological function summary
L-Carnitine enhances fatty acid oxidation improving energy production within cells. This compound functions independently not forming part of a protein complex. It also helps maintain the acetyl-CoA to CoA ratio within cells influencing various metabolic reactions. By facilitating the removal of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids from mitochondria L-Carnitine supports the cell's energy homeostasis and prevents the accumulation of potentially harmful acyl-CoA species.
Pathways
L-Carnitine plays a vital role in energy metabolism and fatty acid catabolism. One key pathway it participates in is the fatty acid oxidation pathway also known as beta-oxidation. Within this pathway L-Carnitine works with enzymes such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II to transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix. Another pathway involves ketogenesis in the liver where L-Carnitine aids in converting fatty acids into ketones during fasting states stabilizing energy production.
L-Carnitine deficiency links to conditions like cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle weakness due to its essential role in muscle metabolism. A deficiency may also contribute to disorders such as systemic primary carnitine deficiency impacting heart and skeletal muscles due to impaired fatty acid transport. Associations with proteins such as carnitine transporters (OCTN2) show how a malfunction can lead to metabolic disturbances highlighting the importance of L-Carnitine in maintaining metabolic function.
