Haptens with sulfhydryl groups

Maleimides (Section 11.2.3.2.1.2) are particularly useful for the conjugation of thiol-containing haptens. Other approaches are based on the activation of the protein with bromoacetamide groups (Singh et al., 1978) or on the formation of disulfide bonds between the carrier and hapten in acetate buffer, pH 4.0, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, as used for the conjugation of penicillenic acid (De Week and Eisen, 1960). 

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Figure 19.16 A common way of conjugating sulfhydryl-containing haptens to carrier proteins is to activate the carrier with sulfo-SMCC to create an intermediate maleimide derivative. The maleimide groups then can be coupled to thiols to form thioether bonds.

Succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-l-carboxylate (SMCC) is a heterobifunctional cross-linker with significant utility in cross-linking proteins, particularly in the preparation of antibody-enzyme and hapten-carrier conjugates (Hashida and Ishikawa, 1985 Dewey et al., 1987). The NHS ester end of the reagent can react with primary amine groups on proteins to form stable amide bonds. The maleimide end of SMCC is specific for coupling to sulfhydryls when the reaction pH is in the range of 6.5-7.5 (Smyth et al., 1964) (Fig. 158). 

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