This protocol serves not only to describe the conjugation of Cascade Blue to
Annexin V, but to serve as a model for Cascade Blue conjugation of any protein.
The molecular weight of Annexin V is about 40 kDaltons. When conjugating other
proteins, take into account the relative molecular weight. Always perform a
titration of Cascade Blue to protein ratios when first conjugating a protein;
too much Cascade Blue can desolubilize the reagent or interfere with its
activity, whereas too little may result in undetectable fluorescence.
This protocol is nearly identical to that of conjugation of
Cascade Blue to immunoglobulins. The only difference arises from the much
smaller size of Annexin V compared to IgG (one-fourth the molecular weight),
necessitating a difference in the amount of Cascade Blue to use. Otherwise, the
same procedures and steps are taken, and the protocol below is essentially
identical to the Ig conguation protocol. Annexin V can be purchased from some
commercial sources or obtained in collaborative agreements with researchers who
make recombinant protein.
Cascade Blue is a UV-excitable dye that can be used for immunofluorescence
labeling. When used with the 351/361 nm excitation lines of an Argon laser, it
is not very bright; usually only extremely high density antigens can be
well-resolved by Cascade Blue. However, when used with the 405 nm excitation
line of a Krypton laser, it becomes a useful dye with a brightness approaching
that of fluorescein. Emission is collected at 440 nm (see the fluorescence spectra).
Refer to notes about the following procedures used by this protocol:
Column chromatography
Reagent storage
You can also use the short, less-detailed protocol
for reference.
I. Preparation of antibody
II. Covalent conjugation
Materials, chemicals, and buffers
References
The entire conjugation can be performed in about a half-day. In addition to
the materials listed below, you will need to have a solution of your Annexin V
at a concentration (optimally) of at least 2 mg/ml. The extent of Cascade Blue
conjugation to the Annexin V may depend on the concentration of antibody in
solution; for consistent conjugations, use a consistent concentration. You
should be familiar with how to use a desalting column and how to take
absorbance spectra.
The reactive Cascade Blue molecule is unstable. Once the Cascade Blue is
solubilized, it should be used immediately.
When first conjugating Annexin V, a range of Cascade Blue to Annexin V
concentrations should be compared. The protocol suggests 50 µg per mg of Annexin
V; for a first-time titration of Cascade Blue, try a range of 10 to 200 µg
Cascade Blue per mg of antibody (for instance, 10, 20, 40, 100, 200 µg per mg).
Compare each conjugate by staining (you should perform a titration of antibody
on cells for each reagent to determine the optimal staining concentration).
Select the conjugate with the brightest "positive" cells which still
has low background on "negative" cells.
Note: it is critical that sodium azide be completely removed from any
Annexin V.
Dialyze or exchange over a column the Annexin V in "B Reaction
Buffer".
Measure the Annexin V concentration after buffer equilibration. If the Annexin
V concentration is less than 1 mg/ml, the conjugation will probably be
sub-optimal. If necessary, dilute the Annexin V to a concentration of 4 mg/ml.
Cascade Blue is covalently coupled to primary amines (lysines) of the
Annexin V.
Dissolve 5 mgs of Cascade Blue in 500 µl anhydrous DMSO immediately before use.
This is tedious and takes a bit of vortexing and time.
Add Cascade Blue to give a ratio of 50 µg per mg of Annexin V; mix immediately.
(See notes above about using different molar rations of Cascade Blue to Annexin
V).
Wrap the tube in foil; incubate and rotate at room temperature for 4 hours.
Remove the unreacted biotin and exchange the Annexin V into "Storage
Buffer" by gel filtration or dialysis.
Materials:
For column separations, we often use one
of two types of pre-poured columns:
For 1.25ml to 2.5ml sample volumes: PD-10 (Sephadex G-25M), Amersham, catalog
No. 17-0851-01.
For <0.5 ml sample volumes: NAP5 columns (Sephadex G-25 DNA grade), Amersham,
catalog No 17-0853-02.
Chemicals:
Cascade Blue acetyl azide, trisodium salt
Molecular Probes catalog No. C-2284, mw 607.42
SMCC - succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate
Pierce, catalog No. 22360, mw 334.42
NEM – N-Ethylmaleimide
Sigma, Catalog E-1271, mw 125.1
DMSO - anyhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide
Aldrich, catalog No. 27,685-5.
Note: keep the DMSO absolutely dry at all times. We keep the bottle in a dessicator. Pour out an
amount of DMSO sufficient for your need and then pipette that; don't pipetter
directly into the bottle.
NaHCO3 - sodium bicarbonate
J. T. Baker, catalog No. 3508-05, mw 84.01
NaCO3 - sodium carbonate
J. T. Baker, catalog No. 3602-01, mw 106
NaCl - Sodium Chloride
Sigma, Catalog No S-3014, mw 58.44
TRIZMA pre-Set crystals 8.0 - Combination of Tris base and TrisHCl
Sigma, catalog No. T4753, average mw 141.8
NaN3 – Sodium Azide
Sigma, catalog No S-2002, mw 65
Buffers:
"B Reaction Buffer"
100 mM carbonate, pH 8.4
To make 1 Liter:
84g NaHCO3
pH to 8.4
Note: sodium azide cannot be added to this buffer
"Storage Buffer"
10 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% NaN3, pH 8.2
To make 1 Liter:
1.42g TRIZMA 8.0
8.77g NaCl
1g NaN3
pH to 8.2
See hints on storing buffers.
This protocol was developed and tested by Peter
Katsikis and Mario Roederer, based on our standard Cascade Blue conjugation
protocol.