Enzo Biochem's Life Sciences Subsidiary Unveils Comprehensive Menu of Epigenetics Tools at Society for Neurosciences Meeting

New Products Include Two Proprietary Systems for Detecting Important Targets for Cancers and Other Diseases

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) today said that its Life Sciences subsidiary will release a new catalog dealing with "Epigenetics & Chromatin Modification" at the Society for Neuroscience's, Neuroscience 2009 conference, beginning October 17, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois. The catalog provides a portfolio of tools relating to histone- and DNA-modifying enzymes, including enzymes for lysine acetylation/deacetylation (HATs, HDACs and sirtuins), protein methylation/demethylation, DNA methylation and telomerases. Enzo Life Sciences will also introduce new enzyme drug discovery kits for histone deacetylases (HDACs) and lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), emerging targets for cancer and other diseases.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that remove acetyl groups from lysines of histones and other non-histone proteins, and figure prominently in chromatin modifications that lead to changes in gene expression. The Fluor de Lys(TM)-Green HDAC assay is a new and improved product for assaying HDAC activity from cell extracts or purified enzymes. The proprietary new fluorescent probe in the kit contains a longer wavelength excitation/emission profile than the standard Fluor de Lys(TM) substrate, avoiding potential interference from the autofluorescence of cell constituents and small molecule compounds. The convenient, two-step homogeneous procedure for measuring HDAC activity provided by the kit is applicable to high throughput screening of potential HDAC inhibitors.

Lysine-specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) catalyzes demethylation of mono- and dimethylated lysines in histones, p53 and DNMT1. There is increasing evidence of LSD1's importance in epigenetic and transcriptional regulation and of its roles in processes ranging from embryogenesis to carcinogenesis. The LSD1 fluorometric drug discovery kit provides a convenient assay of LSD1 activity and for screening of LSD1 inhibitors. The assay couples oxidative demethylation of a peptide substrate with peroxidation of Enzo's CELLestial^TM Red Substrate to produce a red fluorescent signal that can be monitored continuously at 590nm.

"It is especially appropriate for us to showcase our broad range of epigenetic modulators at the Society for Neuroscience meeting, given recent discoveries that epigenetic changes related to chromatin remodeling in the brain are linked to a variety of psychiatric conditions including anxiety, alcohol addiction and suicidal tendencies," commented Wayne Patton, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Enzo Life Sciences. "Chemical modification of histones change the manner that DNA and histones associate with one another in chromatin and this in turn impacts transcriptional activity. Enzo Life Sciences' new HDAC and LSD1 assays provide sensitive and convenient approaches for detecting these important epigenetic enzymatic activities."

About Enzo

Enzo Biochem is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and licensing of innovative health care products and technologies based on molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, and in providing diagnostic services to the medical community. Enzo's Life Sciences division develops, produces and markets proprietary labeling and detection products for gene sequencing, genetic analysis and immunological research among others. Its catalog of over 40,000 products serves the molecular biology, drug discovery and pathology research markets. The Company's therapeutic division is in various stages of clinical evaluation of its proprietary immune regulation medicines for uveitis and Crohn's disease and conducts pre-clinical research on several candidate compounds aimed at producing new mineral and organic bone, including technology that could provide therapy for osteoporosis and fractures, among other applications. Enzo's Clinical Labs division provides routine and esoteric reference laboratory services for physicians in the New York Metropolitan and New Jersey areas. Underpinning the Company's technology and operations is an extensive intellectual property estate in which Enzo owns or licenses over 230 patents worldwide, and has pending applications for over 200 more. For more information visit the Company's website www.enzo.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

    Source: Enzo Biochem, Inc.

Released October 15, 2009