Photo-activated affinity-site cross-linking of antibodies using tryptophan containing peptides

Affinity-based conjugation methods for antibodies can produce defined and reproducible conjugates. This requires that the target antibody has an affinity site for the ligand and that the ligand has a reactive site. These requirements are critical for the conjugation of antibodies designed for diagnostic and therapeutic application. Our laboratory has discovered a novel affinity of antibodies for the amino acid tryptophan using an azido derivative of tryptophan. Here we show that tryptophan without the azido group can be photo-cross-linked to antibodies. Biotinylated tryptophan peptides are photolysed into monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and such biotinylated antibodies are used in avidin-based ELISA. With the simple and gentle tryptophan-affinity photo-conjugation of peptides, antibodies can be conjugated with peptides to enhance their potency and expand their targeting range.