This protocol serves not only to describe the conjugation of FITC to Annexin
V, but to serve as a model for FITC 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 FITC
to protein ratios when first conjugating a protein; too much FITC 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
FITC 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 FITC 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.
Fluorescein (mistakenly abbreviated by its commonly-used reactive
isothiocyanate form, FITC) is currently the most commonly-used fluorescent dye
for FACS analysis. FITC is a small organic molecule, and is typically
conjugated to proteins via primary amines (i.e., lysines). Usually, only a few
FITC molecules are conjugated to the protein; higher conjugations may result in
solubility problems as well as internal quenching (and reduced brightness).
Thus, you should probably try several parallel reactions using different
amounts of FITC, and compare the resulting reagents for brightness (and
background stickiness) to choose the optimal conjugation ratio. Fluorescein is
typically excited by the 488 nm line of an argon laser, and emission is
collected at 530 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
III. Characterizing the conjugate
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 Annexin V at a
concentration (optimally) of at least 2 mg/ml. The extent of FITC conjugation
to the Annexin V may depend on the concentration of Annexin V 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 fluorescein molecule, fluorescein isothiocyanate, is unstable.
Once a vial has been cracked and the FITC solubilized, it should be used
immediately. Since single vials of FITC contain sufficient material for ~100
mgs of antibody, it is economical to perform multiple FITC conjugations on the
same day.
When first conjugating Annexin V, a range of FITC to antibody concentrations
should be compared. The protocol suggests 10-20 µg per mg of Annexin V; for a
first-time titration of FITC, try a range of 2 to 100 µg FITC per mg of Annexin
V (for instance, 2, 5, 10, 40, 100 µg per mg). Compare each conjugate by
staining (you should perform a titration of Annexin V 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 the Annexin
V: it will react with the FITC and prevent conjugation.
Dialyze or exchange over a column the Annexin V in "Reaction Buffer".
Note that the BioRad protein reagent kit reacts spontaneously in "Reaction
Buffer"; it is difficult (but not impossible) to determine which column
fractions contain the protein by this method... use of a spectrophotometer is
preferred. See hints on column
separations of nonfluorescent proteins.
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.
FITC is covalently coupled to primary amines
(lysines) of the Annexin V.
Dissolve 10 mgs (the entire contents of 1 vial; no need to weigh) of FITC in
anhydrous DMSO immediately before use.
Add FITC to give a ratio of 10-20 µg per mg of Annexin V; mix immediately. (See
notes above about using different molar rations of FITC to Annexin V).
Wrap the tube in foil; incubate and rotate at room temperature for 1 hour.
Remove the unreacted FITC 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:
FITC - fluorescein isothiocyanate
Molecular Probes, catalog No. F1906
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:
"Reaction Buffer"
500 mM carbonate, pH 9.5
To make 1 Liter:
17g Na2CO3
28g NaHCO3
pH to9.5
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 FITC conjugation protocol.