Biotinylation interactions

Recently, SETA BioMedicals has developed a new near-infrared squaraine-based label Seta-633, which can be used to study the interaction between low-molecular-weight analytes and proteins using fluorescence lifetime as the readout parameter [19]. This label exhibits lower quantum yields and shorter fluorescence lifetimes when free in solution, but these values substantially increase upon interaction with proteins, which is contrary to tracers like Cy5 or Alexa 647. It was demonstrated in a model assay that a biotinylated Seta-633 binds to anti-biotin with high specificity. Importantly, the lifetime of Seta-633-biotin increases about 2.76 fold upon binding to a specific antibody (anti-biotin, MW =160 kDa), while the titration with BSA or nonspecific antibody does not result in a noticeable change in lifetime (Fig. 13). The label is compatible with readily available light sources (635 nm or 640 nm lasers) and filter sets (as for Cy5 or Alexa 647) and its... 

In another example, ligands can be biotinylated with a cleavable biotinylation reagent and then incubated with receptor molecules. The resulting complex can be isolated by affinity chromatography on immobilized (strept)avidin. Final purification of the ligand-receptor can be accomplished by cleaving the biotin modification sites while the complex is still bound to the support. The receptor complex thus can be eluted from the column without the usual harsh conditions required to break the avidin-biotin interaction. 

Figure 11.1 The basic design of a biotinylation reagent includes the bicyclic rings and valeric acid side chain of D-biotin at one end and a reactive group to couple with target groups at the other end. Spacer groups may be included in the design to extend the biotin group away from modified molecules, thus ensuring better interaction capability with avidin or streptavidin probes.

The only disadvantage to the use of NHS-biotin or sulfo-NHS-biotin is the lack of a long spacer group off the valeric acid side chain. Since the binding site for biotin on avidin and streptavidin is somewhat below the surface of the proteins, some biotinylated molecules may not interact as efficiently with (strept)avidin as when longer cross-bridges are used (Green et al., 1971 Bonnard et al., 1984). 

After molecules modified with sulfo-NHS-SS-biotin are allowed to interact with avidin or streptavidin probes, the complexes can be cleaved at the disulfide bridge by treatment with 50 mM DTT. Reduction releases the biotinylated molecule from the avidin or streptavidin capture reagent without breaking the (strept)avidin interaction. The use of disulfide biotinylation reagents... 

Using a similar approach, Clq has been modified with biotin-HPDP and allowed to interact with its specific receptor. Subsequent purification of the Clq receptor was accomplished through cleavage of the disulfide bridge of the biotinylation reagent (Ghebrehiwet et al., 1988). 

Biotinylated oligosaccharides are convenient probes of carbohydrate interactions, because the biotin label can be captured or detected using an avidin or streptavidin derivative. For instance, immobilized streptavidin can be used to purify glycoconjugates that have been labeled... 

The following sections describe fluorescent biotinylation reagents that can be used to study carbohydrate function and interactions. 

In some cases, the ability to modify glycans at the reducing end without reduction preserves the carbohydrate s native structure sufficiently to allow interactions with proteins that would otherwise not interact if the bond were reduced. Therefore, depending on the ultimate use of the biotinylated carbohydrate, using a hydrazide mediated conjugation process can have advantages over the use of amine-biotin compounds. 

Figure 18.14 NHS-SS-PEG4-biotin can be used to label a primary antibody molecule that has specificity for a protein or interest. Incubation of the biotinylated antibody with a sample, such as a cell lysate, allows the antibody to bind to its target. Capture of the antibody-antigen complex on an immobilized streptavidin reagent effectively isolates the targeted protein from the other proteins in the sample. The disulfide linkage in the spacer arm of the biotin tag permits elution of the immune complex from the streptavidin support using DTT and without using the strong denaturing condition typically required to break the streptavidin-biotin interaction.

The following sections discuss the concept and use of the (strept)avidin-biotin interaction in bioconjugate techniques. Preparation of biotinylated molecules and (strept)avidin conjugates also are reviewed with suggested protocols. For a discussion of the major biotinylation reagents, see Chapter 11 and Chapter 18, Section 3. 

Since a biotinylated molecule potentially is able to interact with (strept)avidin at its biotin binding sites just as strongly as biotin in solution, the degree of biotinylation may be determined using the HABA method as well. Comparison of the response of a biotinylated protein, for example, with a standard curve of various biotin concentrations allows calculation of the molar ratio of biotin incorporation. 

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