PE conjugation of Annexin V

Overview:

This protocol serves not only to describe the conjugation of Phycoerythrin (PE) to Annexin V, but to serve as a model for PE conjugation of any protein. The molecular weight of Annexin V is about 40 kDaltons. When conjugating other proteins, take into account the relative molecular weight.

This protocol is similar to that of conjugation of PE to immunoglobulins. One difference arises from the much smaller size of Annexin V compared to IgG (one-fourth the molecular weight). The primary difference is that there is no available sulfhydryl on Annexin V. To introduce one, a heterobifunctional linking reagent is used which reacts with Annexin V lysines with one end of the molecule, and has a sulfhydryl on its other end. This sulfhydryl is reacted with the SMCC-derivatized PE through reductive cross-linking. Annexin V can be purchased from some commercial sources or obtained in collaborative agreements with researchers who make recombinant protein.

PE is one of the most commonly-used fluorescent dyes for FACS analysis. PE is a large protein (approximate molecular weight 240 kd) containing 25 fluors. Typically, only one PE molecule is conjugated to an antibody. Nonetheless, by virtue of its huge absorption coefficienct and almost perfect quantum efficiency it is one of the brightest dyes used today. It emits at about 570 nm, and can be excited by common Argon laser lines. (See the fluorescence spectra and the absorbance spectrum). Direct PE conjugates are relatively easy to make. Phycoerythrin can be purchased from several vendors, or isolated from the algae directly (be prepared to spend 2+ weeks in the cold room).

As an alternative to steps I and II in the conjugation protocol, you might consider purchasing a conjugation kit available from Prozyme, Inc. The conjugation kit provides enough of all of the necessary materials to conjugate 1 mg of antibody, or 0.25 mg of Annexin V; the entire procedure takes about 2 hours to complete.

Refer to notes about the following procedures used by this protocol:
Reductive cross-linking of antibodies
Column chromatography
Reagent storage

You can also use the short, less-detailed protocol for reference.

Contents:

Conjugation protocol

I. Preparation of PE
II. Derivitization of PE
III. Preparation of Annexin V
IV. Covalent conjugation

Materials, chemicals, and buffers
References


Conjugation protocol.

The entire conjugation can be performed in a single (long) day. However, dialysis of stored PE prior to conjugation can take 24-48 hours. In addition to the materials listed below, you will need to have a solution of Annexin V at a concentration of at least 2 mg/ml. You should be familiar with how to use desalting columns and how to take absorbance spectra.

The SMCC-PE derivative (the result of steps I and II) is quite stable (at least a few months at 4C in the "Exchange Buffer"). Therefore, it is best to derivatize 10 or more milligrams of PE at the same time, and use it for several protein conjugations (even over a period of weeks). Steps III and IV together take only a few hours and minimal preparation; thus, storing the SMCC-derivative is very convenient. It is possible that long-term storage of the SMCC-PE may be best as a saturated ammonium sulfate precipitate--after which extensive dialysis similar to that in Step I below should be performed.

While taking absorbance spectra is not critical to the success of the procedure, it is highly recommended as a quality control, and as a permanent record of the quality of the PE for each conjugation.

Optimization of the Annexin V-PE conjugate requires trying different ratios of 2-IT to Annexin V. The protocol below suggests a ratio of 4; however, higher concentrations may result in brighter reagents. Too high a concentration may result in inactivation of the resulting conjugate. Try ratios of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 when attempting a novel conjugation.

I. Preparation of PE

Dialyze or exchange the PE into "Dialysis Buffer". Concentration before derivatization is typically 5-10 mg/ml. Note: PE is most stable as a SAS (sodium ammonium sulfate) precipitate prior to coupling. If the PE is stored as a SAS precipitate, it must be extensively dialyzed prior to use. Dialyze against 2 changes of 1 liter per ml PE of PBS before dialyzing against 1 liter per ml of "Dialysis Buffer".

Use 6-12 mg of R-PE per mg of Annexin V to be modified.

To check the PE purity and concentration measure the absorbance at 280, 565 and 620 nm. (1 mg/ml of PE has an OD at 565nm of 8.2). A 565/620 ratio > 50 indicates adequate removal of contaminating phycocyanin; a 565/280 ratio > 5 indicates adequate removal of all other proteins. See the sample absorbance spectrum for PE.

II. Derivatization of PE

The amino groups on the phycoerythrin (PE) react with the succinamide to yield a maleimide-labeled PE.

Prepare a 10 mg/ml stock solution of SMCC in dry DMSO immediately prior to use.

Add 11 µl of SMCC per mg of PE while vortexing. Wrap the reaction tube in aluminum foil and rotate at room temperature for 60 minutes.

Pass the derivatized PE over a gel filtration column pre-equilibrated with "Exchange Buffer". See hints on using columns with fluorescent proteins. The SMCC-derivative is stable and may be stored at 4C for several weeks; a high concentration of PE (> 4 mg/ml) is desirable for such longer-term storage.

Note: for conjugations which fail or are poor, it may help to increase or decrease the amount of SMCC with respect to PE, or to use an alternative heterobifunctional crosslinking reagent.

III. Preparation of Annexin V

A heterobifunctional linking reagent is reacted with Annexin V (via lysines) to provide free sulfhydryl groups.

Dissolve (or dialyze or exchange) the Annexin V into any standard PBS solution (azide-free!); the Annexin V should be at a concentration of greater than 5 mg/ml if possible.

Dissolve 2-IT in the same PBS solution at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Use immediately: for a molar ratio of 4, add 15.2 µg of 2-IT per mg of Annexin. See notes above about using different molar ratios of 2-IT to Annexin V.

Incubate and rotate at room temperature for 60 minutes.

Prepare a fresh solution of 1 M DTT (15.4 mg/100 µl) in distilled water.

Make each Annexin V reaction 20 mM in DTT: add 20 µl of DTT stock per ml of reaction while mixing. Let stand at room temp for 15 minutes without additional mixing (to minimize reoxidation of cysteines to cystines).

Pass the reduced 2-IT-Annexin V over a filtration column pre-equilibrated with "Exchange Buffer". Collect 0.25 ml fractions off the column; determine the protein concentrations and pool the fractions with the majority of the Annexin V. This can be done either spectrophotometrically or colorimetrically (see hints on using columns for separation of nonfluorescent proteins).

Carry out the PE conjugation as soon as possible after this step.

IV. Covalent conjugation

The PE is covalently coupled to 2-IT-Annexin V through reaction of the maleimide groups with the free sulfhydryl on the of the 2-IT. Do not delay this step since the 2-IT sulfhydryls will reoxidize.

Add 6-12 mg of SMCC-PE per mg of 2-IT-Annexin V. Wrap the reaction tube in aluminum foil and rotate for 60 minutes at room temp. Note: These molar ratios (~1-2 PE per Annexin V) have worked; for conjugations which fail or are poor, different molar ratios may help.

After 60 minutes, unreacted free sulfhydryls on the 2-IT-Annexin V must be blocked.

Prepare a fresh solution of 10 mg NEM in 1.0 ml dry DMSO.

Add 20 µg (2.0 µl) per mg of 2-IT-Annexin V. Wrap and rotate for 20 minutes at room temperature.

The product can be either dialyzed or exchanged over a column into an appropriate buffer (e.g. "Storage Buffer"). It is best to keep the product at high concentration (> 1 mg/ml) for optimal stability. Never freeze the congugates. It may be useful to spin PE conjugates prior to use in staining, especially if background seems to be a problem (e.g., at 10,000g in a microcentrifuge, at 4C). See also general hints on storing conjugates.


Materials, Chemicals, and Buffers

Materials:

For column separations, we often use one of two types of pre-poured columns:

For 1.25ml to 2.5ml sample volumes: PD-10 (Sephadex G-25M), Amersham, catalog No. 17-0851-01.

For <0.5 ml sample volumes: NAP5 columns (Sephadex G-25 DNA grade), Amersham, catalog No 17-0853-02.


Chemicals:


2-IT - 2-iminothiolane * HCl ("Traut's reagent")
Pierce, catalog No. 26101, mw 137.6

SMCC - succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate
Pierce, catalog No. 22360, mw 334.42

NEM – N-Ethylmaleimide
Sigma, Catalog E-1271, mw 125.1

DMSO - anyhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide
Aldrich, catalog No. 27,685-5.
Note: keep the DMSO absolutely dry at all times. We keep the bottle in a dessicator. Pour out an amount of DMSO sufficient for your need and then pipette that; don't pipetter directly into the bottle.

NaHCO3 - sodium bicarbonate
J. T. Baker, catalog No. 3508-05, mw 84.01

NaCO3 - sodium carbonate
J. T. Baker, catalog No. 3602-01, mw 106

NaCl - Sodium Chloride
Sigma, Catalog No S-3014, mw 58.44

TRIZMA pre-Set crystals 8.0 - Combination of Tris base and TrisHCl
Sigma, catalog No. T4753, average mw 141.8

NaN3 – Sodium Azide
Sigma, catalog No S-2002, mw 65

Standard PBS (free of sodium azide)

Buffers:

"Dialysis Buffer"
50 mM Sodium phosphate, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.0

To make 1 Liter:
13.41g Sodium phosphate dibasic (7*H2O)
0.37 g EDTA

"Exchange Buffer"
50 mM MES, 2 mM EDTA, pH. 6.0

To make 1 Liter:
9.76 g MES
0.74 gm EDTA
pH to 6.0

"Storage Buffer"
10 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% NaN3, pH 8.2

To make 1 Liter:
1.42g TRIZMA 8.0
8.77g NaCl
1g NaN3
pH to 8.2

See hints on storing buffers.


References and credits:

This protocol was devised and tested by Mario Roederer, and is based on the reductive cross-linking protocol used for phycobiliprotein conjugates.

Hardy, RR: Purification and coupling of fluorescent proteins for use in flow cytometry. In: Handbook of Experimental Immunology, 4th ed. DM Weir, LA Herzenberg, C Blackwell, and LA Herzenberg, editors. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Boston, 1986, pp. 31.1-31.12.