Site-directed conjugation of antibody molecules

PDPH has been used in the preparation of immunotoxin conjugates (Zara et al., 1991). It has also been used to create a unique conjugate of NGF with an antibody directed against the transferrin receptor OX-26, which could traverse the blood-brain barrier (Friden et al., 1993). Labeling of antibody molecules with PDPH at oxidized polysaccharide sites followed by reduction to free the sulfhydryl has been used to form a technetium-99m complex for radiopharmaceutical use (Ranadive et al., 1993) (Chapter 8, Section 2.5). 

Heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents also may be used to site-direct a conjugation reaction toward particular parts of target molecules. Amines may be coupled on one molecule while sulfhydryls or carbohydrates are targeted on another molecule. Directed coupling often is important in preserving critical epitopes or active sites within macromolecules. For instance, antibodies may be coupled to other proteins... 

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