Conjugation of antibodies with bifunctional chelating agents: isothiocyanate and bromoacetamide reagents, methods of analysis, and subsequent addition of metal ions.

Preparation of the chelating agent (S)-4-[2,3-bis[bis(carboxymethyl)am ino]propyl]phenyl isothiocyanate is reported. Procedures for conjugation of this and (S)-N-4-[2,3-bis[bis-(carboxymethyl)amino] propyl]phenyl bromoacetamide to monoclonal antibodies and other proteins are described. The conjugates may be purified quickly by centrifugation through Sephadex G-50. The number of protein-bound chelating groups may be measured by titration with standard 57Co2+, using thin-layer chromatography to monitor binding. The labeled products retain their immunoreactivity, as illustrated by experiments in vivo with chelate-conjugated antibody to mouse I-AK antigen.