Production and characterization of [14C]protein A, a long-lived immunological reagent.

A procedure for the production of [14C]protein A is described which involves reductive methylation of lysine residues with [14C]formaldehyde and NaCNBH3. The binding of [14C]protein A to IgG is apparently unaltered, as determined by competitive binding studies. The use of [14C]protein A may be preferred to that of 125I-protein A when a radioactive label with a long half-life is desirable.