Immunoglobulins FITC labeled

In addition to the wide range of commercial probes, many other fluorescent molecules have been synthesized and described in the literature. Only a handful, however, are generally used to label antibody molecules. Perhaps the most common fluorescent tags with application to immunoglobulin assays are reflected in the main derivatives produced by the prominent antibody manufacturing companies. These include derivatives of cyanine dyes, fluorescein, rhod-amine, Texas red, aminomethylcoumarin (AMCA), and phycoerythrin. Figure 20.16 shows the reaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), one of the most common fluorescent probes, with an antibody molecule. 

When used to detect mouse monoclonal antibodies this secondaiy antibody would have anti-mouse immunoglobulin specificity. The method can be adapted for a number of reporter molecules, for example other enzyme labels such as alkaline phosphatase, and fluorescent molecules such as fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). 

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