Thermo Scientific EZ-Link Biocytin is a simple variant of biotin that contains primary Amines, which provide the basic backbone for the construction of certain long-chain and trifunctional biotinylation reagents.

EZ-Link Biocytin Features:

•Biotinylation—labels molecules and surfaces for use with avidin or streptomycin affinity Determination or affinity purification methods of peptide probes and resins
• Amine activation—Primary amines can be cross-linked to proteins and material surfaces using EDC and other cross-linking agents
• Lysine derivative—Function as biotin-labeled amino acid; may be used as control or quenching reagent in biotin detection methods
• Medium length—Spacer arm (added total length to target) is 20.1 Angstroms, representing the 7-atom extension of natural biotin valerate

Biocytin is ε-N-[d-biotinyl]-L-lysine, which is A compound formed by coupling the epsilon amine of lysine to the valeric acid side chain of biotin. It contains terminal carboxyl and amino groups that provide functional handles for derivatization or coupling to proteins, surfaces, and other molecules. Carbodiimide (EDC) and NHS ester cross-linker chemistries are commonly used for covalent modifications involving biocytin. This compound may also serve as an amino acid control or biotin standard in assays involving streptavidin binding.

We manufacture biotin reagents to ensure the highest possible level of overall product integrity, consistency and performance for intended research applications.

Amino-biotin compounds can be coupled to functional groups on proteins and other molecules in a variety of ways. The more common method is to use Cross-links terminal primary amines to carboxyl groups. Carboxyl groups (-COOH) are present on aspartic acid or glutamic acid residues and on the carboxyl termini of polypeptides. When activated withEDC (Product No. 22980), the carboxylate reacts with the amino group (— NH2) group reacts to form an amide bond.

Biocytin has both a carboxyl group and an amino group. Therefore, to prevent biocytin self-conjugation, the EDC-mediated reaction scheme with this compound is usually carried out in two steps, as described by Sulfo-NHS (Product No. 24510) Auxiliary: (1) activate carboxylate molecules with EDC and Sulfo-NHS, then completely remove or inactivate the EDC reagent; then (2) add biocytin , reacting its primary amine with the Sulfo-NHS ester-activated carboxyl group. See NHS Ester Chemistry. The remaining biocytin carboxyl groups can then be coupled to another molecule. For example, biocytin is the starting material used in the synthesis of Sulfo-SBED (Product No. 33033), The latter is a trifunctional reagent.