Enzyme conjugates
OwnerJoel K. Weltman, M. Boris Rotmaninventors
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Abstract
This invention relates to the provision of enzyme-macromolecule conjugates by conjugation with polyfunctional reagents in the presence of organic compounds which act as conditioners. Conjugation of enzymes with antibodies in the presence of conditioner yields conjugates with increased immunological specificity. Organic polyamines of either high or low molecular weight are conditioners. Conditioners are especially useful for conjugation of polymeric and unstable enzymes such as .beta.-D-galactosidase. The high degree of immunospecificity and sensitivity achieved with conditioners yields conjugates suitable for detection and quantification of substances, such as IgE, in nanogram quantities in biological fluids with many interfering substances.
Claims16
A process for producing an enzyme conjugate with other non-enzyme proteinaceous macromolecules which consists essentially of reacting together an enzyme;
- a poly-functional coupling agent selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, carbodiimides, p,p'-di-fluoro-m,m'-dinitrodiphenylsulfone, glutaraldehyde, dimethyladipimate, formaldehyde, bisdiazobenzidine and aromatic halide disulfonates;
- a polyamine selected from the group consisting of albumin or a diamine selected from a group consisting of phenylenediamine, 4.4'-diaminobenzophenone, p,p'-diaminodiphenyl methane, naphthalene diamine, benzidine, 2,6-diaminopurine, ethylene diamine, propylene diamine diaminodipropylamine and hexamethylene diamine;
- and a non-enzyme proteinaceous macromolecule selected from the group consisting of antibodies, antigens, allergens and hormones under conditions which preserve enzymatic activity and form said enzyme conjugate.
The conjugate of claim 8 wherein the enzyme is .beta.-D-galactosidase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.