SNAP-25 reporter constructs and methods of using the same

1. A peptide reporter comprising an amino acid sequence comprising amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 9; amino acids 2-231 of SEQ ID NO: 10; amino acids 2-222 of SEQ ID NO: 11; amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 12; or amino acids 2-215 of SEQ ID NO: 13.

2. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13.

3. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 9; amino acids 2-231 of SEQ ID NO: 10; amino acids 2-222 of SEQ ID NO: 11; amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 12; or amino acids 2-215 of SEQ ID NO: 13.

4. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the SNAP-25 domain can be cleaved by BoNT/A, BONT/B, BONT/C, BONT/D, BONT/E, BONT/F, or BoNT/G.

5. A method of determining the enzymatic activity of a sample containing a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) comprising, contacting the sample containing a BONT with the peptide of claim 1 and determining whether the peptide was cleaved.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein determining whether the peptide was cleaved is established by contacting the peptide with a substrate comprising a capture antibody that specifically binds to one of the at least two additional domains, contacting the bound peptide with a second labeled antibody that specifically binds to a different domain than the capture antibody, washing the bound antibody to remove any unbound labeled antibody, and detecting the signal, if any, of the labeled antibody.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein determining whether the peptide was cleaved comprises utilizing an ELISA assay or flow cytometry.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein determining whether the peptide was cleaved is established by contacting a cell culture with the peptide and assessing whether the peptide induces apoptosis.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cell culture is in direct contact with the peptide and the BoNT.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the peptide is introduced to the cell culture without the BoNT, but after a period of incubation with the BoNT.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein apoptosis is assessed by detecting or assessing at least one of caspase 3/7, caspase 8, caspase 9, DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine exposure, TUNEL staining, Annexin V staining, trypan blue permeability, lactate dehydrogenase, or a colorometric tetrazolium salt.

12. A method of assessing or quantifying botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) activity comprising contacting a sample containing a BoNT with a SNAP-25 reporter construct according to claim 1 , and determining whether the SNAP-25 reporter construct is cleaved by detecting the presence or absence of the at least two additional domains of the SNAP-25 reporter construct.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining whether the SNAP-25 reporter construct is cleaved comprises using an ELISA assay or flow cytometry.

14. A method of assessing or quantifying botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) activity comprising contacting a sample containing a BoNT with a SNAP-25 reporter construct according to claim 1 , and determining whether the SNAP-25 reporter construct is cleaved by assessing apoptosis in a cell culture that is contacted with the SNAP-25 reporter either after or during the reporter's contact with the BoNT.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein determining whether the SNAP-25 reporter construct is cleaved comprises using an apoptosis assay selected from the group consisting of a colorometric assay utilizing a tetrazolium salt, Annexin V and/or PI staining, a caspase activation assays, a phosphatidylserine localization assay, TUNEL staining, a lactate dehydrogenase localization assay, and trypan blue staining.

16. A kit comprising a peptide according to claim 1 , wherein the kit optionally further comprises a capture antibody bound to a substrate and a detectably labeled antibody, wherein the capture antibody binds to the MYC domain and the detectably labeled antibody binds to the FLAG domain or wherein the capture antibody binds to the FLAG domain and the detectably labeled antibody binds to the MYC domain; wherein the kit optionally further comprises at least one apoptosis detection reagent selected from the group consisting of an anti-caspase 3 antibody, an anti-caspase 7 antibody, an anti-caspase 8 antibody, an anti-caspase 9 antibody, Annexin V, trypan blue, and a tetrazolium salt; and wherein the substrate is optionally a plate, a slide, or a bead.

17. A nucleic acid encoding a peptide according to claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is optionally comprised within an expression vector.

18. A cell comprising the nucleic acid of claim 17 , wherein the cell is optionally a mammalian cell or a human embryonic kidney cell (HEK).

19. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 9.

20. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 2-231 of SEQ ID NO: 10.

21. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 2-222 of SEQ ID NO: 11.

22. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 12.

23. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises amino acids 2-215 of SEQ ID NO: 13.

24. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 9.

25. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 2-231 of SEQ ID NO: 10.

26. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 2-222 of SEQ ID NO: 11.

27. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 2-224 of SEQ ID NO: 12.

28. The peptide of claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence consisting of amino acids 2-215 of SEQ ID NO: 13.