Protein/Peptide Crosslinking
With a comprehensive state-of-the-art platform, BOC Sciences is fully capable and committed to providing one-stop molecular bioconjugation services. BOC Sciences offers customers an integrated protein peptide binding service with crosslinking optimization and functional validation.
What is Protein Crosslinking?
Protein/peptide crosslinking refers to the formation of covalent bonds between proteins or peptides, resulting in the formation of complexes or network structures. This process can occur naturally in biological systems or can be artificially induced in the laboratory for different purposes. The structure of functional proteins involves more than just intramolecular covalent bonding, which leads to challenging questions about the spatial orientation and non-covalent interactions of proteins.
Fig.1 Online cross-linking of proteins. (Burris et al., 2022)
Protein Peptide Binding Services
BOC Sciences, a leading service provider in the field of drug discovery and research, can provide protein peptide binding services to clients worldwide to facilitate your research. We can perform protein or peptide crosslinking using a variety of methods, including chemical crosslinkers, photocrosslinking, and enzyme-catalyzed crosslinking.
Reacting with amino groups (e.g., lysine residues) or carboxyl groups (e.g., aspartic acid or glutamic acid residues) via chemical cross-linking agents forms stable cross-links.
We also offer a photocrosslinking method for protein/peptide crosslinking. Photocrosslinking utilizes photosensitive molecules that are activated by light at specific wavelengths to produce reaction intermediates capable of forming covalent bonds with nearby proteins or peptides.
Enzyme-catalyzed cross-linking utilizes specific enzymes to catalyze the formation of cross-links between proteins or peptides. This method is used to generate protein-based materials or to change the structure of proteins.
- Services Available
- Protein crosslinking
- Peptide crosslinking
- Protein peptide synthesis
Optimization of Protein Peptide Binding
- Selection of crosslinking reagents: Select the appropriate cross-linking reagent based on the desired cross-linking results and experimental goals.
- Concentration of cross-linking reagent: Different concentrations of cross-linking reagents can be tried, usually starting at lower concentrations and gradually increasing.
- pH value: Different proteins and crosslinking reagents may be pH sensitive. When optimizing experimental conditions, try different pH ranges to determine the best cross-linking effect.
Validation of Protein Peptide Binding
Determining the effect of a cross-linking reaction can be assessed by a variety of methods.
- Gel electrophoresis analysis: Gel electrophoresis can be used to assess the effectiveness of a cross-linking reaction. In gel electrophoresis, cross-linked proteins or peptides typically show higher molecular weights and form new bands or bands.
- Mass spectrometry: Mass spectrometry allows the identification and characterization of cross-linking products and the location of cross-linking sites.
- Western blotting: By immunoblotting cross-linked proteins or peptides, the presence of cross-linking products can be detected and their relative abundance determined.
- Functional evaluation: Depending on the purpose of the cross-linking, a functional assessment can be performed to determine the effectiveness of the cross-linking reaction. For example, if the cross-linking is intended to increase the stability of a protein or change its structure, the effect of the cross-linking can be assessed by assays of biological activity, stability, or structural properties.
Our Advantages
- Comprehensive and proficient bioconjugation technical platform
- All-round cross-linking chemistry
- Multiple methods for protein peptide binding validation
- Crosslinking analysis, detailed report with results and discussion
Project Workflow
Reference
- Burris B J, et al. Online Cross-Linking of Peptides and Proteins during Contained-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry[J]. Analytical Chemistry, 2022, 95(2): 1085-1094.
* Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).