Accurate measurement of avidin and streptavidin in crude biofluids with a new, optimized biotin-fluorescein conjugate.

A new biotin-fluorescein conjugate with an ethylene diamine spacer was found to be the first fluorescent biotin derivative which truly mimicked d-biotin in terms of high affinity, fast association, and non-cooperative binding to avidin and streptavidin tetramers. These exceptional properties were attributed to the small size/length of the new ligand since all larger/longer biotin derivatives are known for their mutual steric hindrance and anti-cooperative binding in 4:1 complexes with avidin and streptavidin tetramers. Specific binding of the new biotin-fluorescein conjugate towards avidin and streptavidin was accompanied by 84-88% quenching of ligand fluorescence. In the accompanying study this effect was used for rapid estimation of avidin and streptavidin in a new 'single tube assay'. In the present study the strong quenching effect was utilized to accurately monitor stoichiometric titration of biotin-binding sites in samples with >/=200 pM avidin or streptavidin. The concentration was calculated from the consumption of fluorescent ligand up to the distinct breakpoint in the fluorescence titration profile which was marked by the abrupt appearance of strongly fluorescent ligands which were in excess. Due to this protocol the assay was not perturbed by background fluorescence or coloration in the unknown samples. The new fluorescence titration assay is particularly suited for quick checks on short notice because getting started only means to thaw an aliquot of a standardized stock solution of fluorescent ligand. No calibration is required for the individual assay and the ligand stock solution needs to be restandardized once per week (or once per year) when stored at -25 degrees C (or at -70 degrees C, respectively).