Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using alkaline phosphatase conjugated with streptococcal protein G

Protein G, an IgG-binding protein, purified from the surface of group G streptococci, was coupled to alkaline phosphatase. The conjugate was used for detection of polyclonal goat and rabbit antibodies and monoclonal mouse IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A two-step coupling procedure was used, in which glutaraldehyde was allowed to react with the enzyme, excess glutaraldehyde was then removed by dialysis, and finally protein G added to the glutaraldehyde-activated and polymerized alkaline phosphatase. The activity and yield of the conjugates were then tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Coupling of 25 micrograms protein G to 5 mg alkaline phosphatase gave a conjugate which could be used for more than 10,000 determinations with maximal antibody binding giving an absorbance of 2.0. Under these conditions, there was no need for separation of the reactants before using the protein G-alkaline phosphatase complex.