A new method of preparing hapten-carrier immunogens by coupling with Saccharomyces cerevisiae by periodate oxidation

A new method of preparing hapten-carrier immunogens is described. The carrier used was Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Coupling was carried out with bovine serum albumin (BSA). BSA was conjugated with mannose residues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell walls, following periodate oxidation to produce aldehyde groups reactive with side chain amino groups of BSA. The coupling was stabilized and non-reactant aldehydes were blocked with sodium borohydride reduction. A hapten, 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-L-tyrosyl-L-tyrosine, was also coupled with the yeast. Anti-hapten antibodies were obtained in rabbit with this conjugate.