SNAP-Tag Technology: A Promising Tool for Ex Vivo Immunophenotyping
Swati Choudhary1, Stefan Barth2,3, Rama S Verma4
1Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy
|February 7, 2017
Summary
This study shows SNAP-tag technology can detect cancer biomarkers in patient samples ex vivo. This offers a new method for diagnosing diseases like leukemia and colorectal cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Diagnostics
Background:
- SNAP-tag is a protein tag used for in vitro and in vivo analysis.
- Its potential for ex vivo detection of biological markers is explored here.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish proof of concept for using SNAP-tag for ex vivo detection of the c-kit receptor.
- To evaluate SNAP-tag fusion proteins as diagnostic tools for cancer.
Main Methods:
- Designed SNAP-tag conjugates with stem-cell factor (SCF) fusion proteins.
- Validated binding and specificity in vitro using flow cytometry and immunostaining.
- Demonstrated ex vivo diagnostic application in patient samples.
Main Results:
- Successfully validated SNAP-tag fusion protein binding and specificity for the c-kit receptor.
- Ex vivo diagnostic performance was comparable to anti-c-kit antibody.
- Demonstrated utility in leukemia and colorectal cancer patient samples.
Conclusions:
- SNAP-tag technology can be effectively utilized for ex vivo detection of biological markers.
- This represents a novel approach for cancer diagnostics, particularly for c-kit positive cancers.
- Further research can expand SNAP-tag applications in clinical diagnostics.
