Cell-surface modification with an iodinatible imidoester to enhance radiolabeling

A procedure to enhance incorporation of radioactive iodine into cell-surface proteins is described. The effects of chemical modification of cells with the iodinatible haptens N-succinimidyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (Bolton-Hunter reagent) and methyl-p-hydroxybenzimidate HC1 (Wood reagent) are compared. The Wood reagent, that does not alter the charge of the modified amino group, is superior in retention of cell viability and function. Cell-surface modification with the Wood reagent prior to radiolabeling is particularly useful for detecting antigens not readily iodinated using standard techniques.