Carbohydrate antigens biotinylation

Kaukonen K, Savolainen J, Viander M et al (1993) Characterization of Aspergillus umbrosus carbohydrate antigens by biotinylated lectins and IgG response to mannan/manno-protein antigens in patients with farmer s lung. Clin Exp Allergy 23 21-27... 

If a free amino group forms a portion of the protein that is essential for activity (e.g., the antigen-combining site for antibody), biotinylation with the succinimide ester will lower or destroy the activity of the protein, and other methods of labeling should be tried. Biotin hydrazide has been used to modify the carbohydrate moieties of antibodies (10,11). Other alternatives are the thiol-reactive biotin maleimide (12) or biotin iodoacetamide (13). 

Reagents for biotinylation of proteins and peptides are commercially available and allow the fast and efficient derivatization of antibodies and enzymes without the loss of enzyme or antibody activity. Several reagents are also available for the biotinylation of sulfhydryl groups aldehydes, nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Hence, in addition to proteins and peptides, a variety of antigens can be labeled with biotin. 

---