Biotin Antibodies

Biotin is a water soluble complex B vitamin. Also known as vitamin H or coenzyme R, biotin can be conjugated to antibodies. Biotin has a molecular weight of 244.31. Biotinylation is the process by which biotin is added covalently to another molecule, like an antibody. A biotin tag can be useful in ELISA assays, western blots, and other immunoanalytical methods. Biotin is a relatively small molecule which can drastically decrease its interference with other molecules in the solution or preparation. The protocol of conjugating biotin to an antibody involves making a long-chain biotin NHS ester in solution with DMSO, adding that solution into the antibody solution, stopping the reaction with Tris.HCl, then dialyzing for one to two days. Abcore Inc. offers many biotin antibodies already conjugated to biotin.

Anti-albumin antibody (biotin) is conjugated to biotin and binds against serum albumin. Albumin is secreted by the body and is the main protein of blood plasma. Albumin is produced in the liver. Albumin is a transport protein that carries hormones and fatty acids. Mutations in the gene that encodes for the body’s ability to produce albumin can result in different anomalous proteins which may or may not have appropriate function. Anti-Cytokeratin 18 antibody (biotin) is conjugated to biotin. Cytokeratin 18 antibody binds against cytokeratin 18. Cytokeratin 18 is involved in the uptake of thrombin-antithrombin complexes by hepatic cells in the liver. It is found in the perinuclear region of the cytosplasm and is expressed in the colon, placenta, and liver. It is also expressed in the lymph nodes of people experiencing breast cancer. When cytokeratin is phosphorylated, it can play a role in filament reorganization. Defects in KRT18 are one cause of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver leading to poor liver function. Affected individuals have impaired liver functions possibly including a decreased ability to fight infections, to remove toxins from the blood, to process nutrients, to make proteins for blood clotting, and to produce bile.