Labeling of a molecule e.g. a DNA/RNA probe or protein with a biotin/desthiobiotin moiety (biotinylation/desthiobiotinylation) is routinely performed for its subsequent affinity purification via streptavidin agarose or the detection after complex formation with a target molecuel via fluorescent or HRP-labeled streptavidin. Due to the extremely high affinity of Biotin towards streptavidin (KD = 10-15 M), the biotinylated molecule/streptavidin-interaction is essentially irreversible under physiological conditions [1].
Desthiobiotin however, binds less tightly to streptavidin than Biotin (KD = 10-11 M) and desthiobiotinylated molecules are therefore easily eluted from the complex in the presence of excess Biotin[2].
Find (Desthio)Biotin-labeled nucleotides and Labeling Kits suitable for enzymatic DNA Labeling or enzymatic RNA Labeling.
[1] Diamandis et al. (1991) The biotin-(strept)avidin system: principles and applications in biotechnology. Clin Chem 37: 625.
[2] Hirsch et al. (2002) Easily reversible desthiobiotin binding to streptavidin, avidin, and other biotin-binding proteins: uses for protein labeling, detection, and isolation. Analytical Biochemistry 308: 343.
