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Title: 2-MORPHOLINOETHYLISOCYANIDE AS A COUPLING AGENT FOR HAPTEN-PROTEIN CONJUGATES

Author
item Brandon, David
item Binder, Ronald

Submitted to: Food and Agricultural Immunology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/19/2006
Publication Date: 3/15/2006
Citation: Brandon, D.L., Binder, R.G. 2006. 2-morpholinoethylisocyanide as a coupling agent for hapten-protein conjugates. Food and Agricultural Immunology. 17(1) 53-61.

Interpretive Summary: The attachment of low molecular weight compounds to proteins is an essential step in the development of antibodies and enzyme immunoassays for these compounds. We used 2-morpholinoethylisocyanide to couple several haptens--low molecular weight organic compounds--to proteins and the enzyme, horseradish peroxidase. The main advantage of this procedure is its simplicity, involving only small volumes of water-miscible organic reagents and purification by dialysis or chromatography. The resulting conjugates provide a basis for the production of antibodies and immunoassays for various compounds important in agriculture, including drugs, pesticides, and nutrients.

Technical Abstract: Conjugation of haptens to proteins and enzymes is essential for the production of antibodies and development of ELISAs for these low molecular weight compounds. In this study, protein conjugates of several carboxylic haptens were prepared using the peptide synthesis reagent, 2-morpholinoethylisocyanide. The haptens included derivatives of benzimidazole and pyridoxine. The main advantage of this conjugation procedure is its simplicity involving only small volumes of water-miscible organic reagents. The resulting conjugates were purified by dialysis and could be used to elicit antibodies and establish immunoassays