Page 55 - Academic Press Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology 3rd Organic Chemistry

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Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN002G-51 May 25, 2001 13:44

Bioconjugate Chemistry

Claude F. Meares
University of California, Davis

I. Chemical Principles
II. Multiple Sites of Chemical Conjugation:
Mathematics of Random Labeling
III. Molecular Cloning: Modern Preparative
Methodology
IV. Analysis of Bioconjugates
V. Nomenclature
VI. Examples

GLOSSARY molecule. For example, biotin binds strongly to the
proteins avidin and streptavidin. Biotin may be con-
Antibody A large protein molecule that binds reversibly jugated to other molecules (see Fig.1), which can
and with high specificity to a small molecule or a spe- then be trapped by binding to immobilized avidin or
cific region (epitope) of a macromolecule. streptavidin.
Bioconjugate Generally, a synthetic substance in which Liposome A particle composed of multiple phospholipid
a functional biological molecule is conjugated (linked) molecules, arranged in a bilayer structure to enclose a
to another substance with useful properties. The latter small aqueous space (see Fig. 2).
may be another biological molecule, a synthetic poly- ODN An oligodeoxynucleotide, a short, synthetic frag-
mer, a small molecule, or even a macroscopic particle ment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
or a surface. PEG Poly(ethylene glycol), also called PEO, poly(ethy-
Enzyme Aprotein(ornucleicacid)thatcatalyzesachem- lene oxide) (see Fig. 3). The degree of polymerization
ical reaction, such as hydrolysis of a peptide bond. n is usually specified according to the average number
Epitope A molecular group, part of a larger molecule, of CH 2 CH 2 units in a polymer molecule.
recognized by an antibody or other binding macro-
molecule. Typically, a small number of amino acid
residues in a particular geometric arrangement on the BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY involves the joining of
surface of a protein. two molecular functions by chemical or biological means.
Hapten A small molecule recognized by an antibody or This includes, among other topics, the conjugation of
other binding macromolecule. Sometimes referred to antibodies, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, or other
as a ligand. A hapten may be conjugated to another biologically active molecules with each other or with other

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