Reagents for assays for ligands

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for releasing a ligand from a complex thereof. The method comprises contacting a medium suspected of containing such complex with an effective amount of a compound effective in releasing the ligand. Another aspect of the present invention is an improvement in a method for the determination of an analyte that is a member of a specific binding pair in a sample suspected of containing such analyte. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing in an assay medium the sample and a binding partner for the analyte and (b) detecting the binding of the binding partner to the analyte. The improvement comprises including in the assay medium a compound of the invention in an amount sufficient to enhance the accuracy of the determination. The invention has particular application to a method for releasing mycophenolic acid from a complex thereof. The method provides an improvement in a method for the determination of mycophenolic acid in a sample suspected of containing mycophenolic acid. The present invention also provides assay reagents as well as packaged kits useful for performing the methods of the invention.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A kit for conducting an assay for the determination of an analyte, said kit comprising in packaged combination: 
 (a) a binding partner for said analyte and    (b) a compound of the formula:                          wherein R 1  is alkyl; R 2  is hydrogen or alkyl; X is O, S or N; n is 1 when X is O or S and n is 2 when X is N; and m is 1 or 2.    
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 29  which further comprises a compound comprising said analyte bound to a detectable label.  
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein said compound is methoxybenzoic acid.  
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 29  wherein said binding partner is an antibody.  
     
     
         33 . A kit for conducting an assay for the determination of mycophenolic acid, said kit comprising in packaged combination: 
 (a) an antibody capable of binding to mycophenloic acid,    (b) a compound comprising mycophenolic acid bound to a detectable label, and    (c) a compound of the formula:                          wherein R 1  is alkyl; R 2  is hydrogen or alkyl; X is O, S or N; n is 1 when X is O or S and n is 2 when X is N; and m is 1 or 2.    
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 33  wherein said compound is methoxybenzoic acid.  
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 33  wherein said compound is o-methoxybenzoic acid.  
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 33  wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         37 - 39 . (canceled)