Simple radiometric method for accurately quantitating epitope densities of hapten-protein conjugates with sulfhydryl linkages.

ABSTRACT: Control of small molecule hapten epitope densities on antigenic carrier proteins is essential for development and testing of optimal conditions for vaccines. Yet, accurate determination of epitope density can be extremely difficult to accomplish, especially with the use of small haptens, large molecular weight carrier proteins, and limited amounts of protein. Here we report a simple radiometric method that uses (14)C-labeled cystine to measure hapten epitope densities during sulfhydryl conjugation of haptens to maleimide activated carrier proteins. The method was developed using a (+)-methamphetamine (METH)-like hapten with a sulfhydryl terminus, and two prototype maleimide activated carrier proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunocyanin monomers of keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The me

SUBMITTER: Peterson EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4275166 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature