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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Chicken avidin-related protein 4/5 shows superior thermal stability when compared with avidin while retaining high affinity to biotin.

The protein chicken avidin is a commonly used tool in various applications. The avidin gene belongs to a gene family that also includes seven other members known as the avidin-related genes (AVR). We report here on the extremely high thermal stability and functional characteristics of avidin-related protein AVR4/5, a member of the avidin protein family. The thermal stability characteristics of AVR4/5 were examined using a differential scanning calorimeter, microparticle analysis, and a microplate assay. Its biotin-binding properties were studied using an isothermal calorimeter and IAsys optical biosensor. According to these analyses, in the absence of biotin AVR4/5 is clearly more stable (T(m) = 107.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C) than avidin (T(m) = 83.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C) or bacterial streptavidin (T(m) = 75.5 degrees C). AVR4/5 also exhibits a high affinity for biotin (K(d) approximately 3.6 x 10(-14) m) comparable to that of avidin and streptavidin (K(d) approximately 10(-15) m). Molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis were used to study the molecular details behind the observed high thermostability. The results indicate that AVR4/5 and its mutants have high potential as new improved tools for applications where exceptionally high stability and tight biotin binding are needed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Avidin-HRP conjugates in biotin-avidin immunoenzyme cytochemistry.

Avidin-HRP conjugates were prepared, analysed and tested for avidin-biotin immunocytochemistry. Suitable biotinylation of enzymes, antigens and antibody was obtained by reacting biotin at equimolar ratio to epsilon aminogroups in proteins. The avidin-biotin interaction was used for immunocytochemical detection of phenomena in the field of immunology, i.e. immune complex trapping, specific antibody forming cells and in serology for the cytochemical detection of human auto-antibodies to basement membrane components. Avidin-HRP conjugation using the two step glutaraldehyde method gave a very small amount of monomeric, low molecular weight conjugate with excellent performance. Avidin-HRP conjugation using the periodate method was modified at two points. The first modification concerns the molar ratio of avidin to HRP in the reaction mixture which was brought to about equimolarity. The second modification concerns the periodate concentration which was decreased five fold, ten fold and twenty fold. Decreasing the periodate concentration decreased the amount of polymeric conjugate. Optimal amounts of monomeric, low molecular weight conjugate were obtained with a ten fold decrease of the periodate concentration. Comparable cytochemical results were obtained with monomeric conjugates obtained using both preparation methods.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Binding properties of HABA-type azo derivatives to avidin and avidin-related protein 4.

The chicken genome encodes several biotin-binding proteins, including avidin and avidin-related protein 4 (AVR4). In addition to D-biotin, avidin binds an azo dye compound, 4-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA), but the HABA-binding properties of AVR4 are not yet known. Differential scanning calorimetry, UV/visible spectroscopy, and molecular modeling were used to analyze the binding of 15 azo molecules to avidin and AVR4. Significant differences are seen in azo compound preferences for the two proteins, emphasizing the importance of the loop between strands beta3 and beta4 for azo ligand recognition; information on these loops is provided by the high-resolution (1.5 A) X-ray structure for avidin reported here. These results may be valuable in designing improved tools for avidin-based life science and nanobiotechnology applications.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mutation of a critical tryptophan to lysine in avidin or streptavidin may explain why sea urchin fibropellin adopts an avidin-like domain.

Sea urchin fibropellins are epidermal growth factor homologues that harbor a C-terminal domain, similar in sequence to hen egg-white avidin and bacterial streptavidin. The fibropellin sequence was used as a conceptual template for mutation of designated conserved tryptophan residues in the biotin-binding sites of the tetrameric proteins, avidin and streptavidin. Three different mutations of avidin, Trp-110-Lys, Trp-70-Arg and the double mutant, were expressed in a baculovirus-infected insect cell system. A mutant of streptavidin, Trp-120-Lys, was similarly expressed. The homologous tryptophan to lysine (W-->K) mutations of avidin and streptavidin were both capable of binding biotin and biotinylated material. Their affinity for the vitamin was, however, significantly reduced: from K(d) approximately 10(-15) M of the wild-type tetramer down to K(d) approximately 10(-8) M for both W-->K mutants. In fact, their binding to immobilized biotin matrices could be reversed by the presence of free biotin. The Trp-70-Arg mutant of avidin bound biotin very poorly and the double mutant (which emulates the fibropellin domain) failed to bind biotin at all. Using a gel filtration fast-protein liquid chromatography assay, both W-->K mutants were found to form stable dimers in solution. These findings may indicate that mimicry in the nature of the avidin sequence and fold by the fibropellins is not designed to generate biotin-binding, but may serve to secure an appropriate structure for facilitating dimerization.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A monoclonal antibody to avidin dissociates quaternary structure and curtails biotin binding to avidin and streptavidin.

An anti-avidin mAb, viz., H12G4, is shown to release bound biotin in a dose-dependent manner from holoavidin and holostreptavidin and inhibit the binding of ligand to the two apoproteins. The release of biotin by this mAb is accompanied by quenching of ligand-induced enhanced fluorescence of the FITC-avidin conjugate. In terms of mechanism of release of bound biotin, we demonstrate that on binding to the Fab fragment of the mAb, the native tetrameric holoavidin undergoes dissociation progressively with time to monomers with no bound biotin associated with the latter. Based on the immunoreactivity associated with defined overlapping fragments of avidin obtained by chemical cleavage, the epitope recognized by mAb H12G4 has been localized to residues 58-96 of the primary sequence. By pepscan method of epitope mapping, this mAb is shown to identify a minimal core sequence of 87RNGK90 in avidin and a corresponding sequence of 84RNAH87 in streptavidin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Simultaneous inhibition of endogenous avidin-binding activity and peroxidase applicable for the avidin-biotin system using monoclonal antibodies.

The use of the avidin-biotin technique in immunoperoxidase staining provides a simple and highly sensitive method for detecting the localization of antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies. However, endogenous biotin, which is widely distributed in tissues, often causes non-specific staining by binding to avidin [endogenous avidin-binding activity (EABA)]. Endogenous peroxidase activity (EPA) also makes the estimation of specific staining difficult. In the present study, several methods for the inhibition of EABA and/or EPA were examined using the avidin-biotin technique and monoclonal antibodies against murine Mac-1 and Ia antigen. Of these, the overnight incubation of sections in 40% methanol in phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.3% hydrogen peroxide gave the best result, as it inhibited EABA and EPA simultaneously without denaturating of the antigenic determinants recognized by the monoclonal antibodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Suppression of endogenous avidin-binding activity in tissues and its relevance to biotin-avidin detection systems.

As biotin-avidin systems continue to be developed for applications involving single cells, cell suspensions, and especially tissue sections, the need arises for a method of blocking endogenous avidin-binding activity. One such method is described and its proposed mechanism is discussed. Utilizing this method, endogenous avidin-binding activity was detected and suppressed in selected human and murine tissues, thus facilitating the interpretation of specific immunohistochemical staining utilizing hybridoma monoclonal antibodies in a biotin-avidin-horseradish peroxidase detection system.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Hepatocyte targeting of 111In-labeled oligo-DNA with avidin or avidin-dendrimer complex.

To establish an effective nonviral gene transfer vector to hepatocytes, various oligo-carrier complexes were developed employing dendrimer (G4) and avidin-biotin systems (Av-bt), and their biodistribution were evaluated. In-111-labeled-oligo, without any carriers, showed low uptake in normal organs other than the kidney (21.48% ID/g at 15 min, 18.48% ID/g at 60 min). In contrast, 111In-oligo coupled with avidin through biotin (111In-oligo-bt-Av) showed very high accumulation in the liver (50.95% at 15 min, 47.88% at 60 min). 111In-oligo complexed with G4 showed high uptake in the kidney and spleen, but its hepatic uptake was relatively low (13.12% at 15 min, 10.67% at 60 min). When both G4 and Av-bt systems were employed, 111In-oligo/G4-bt-Av showed extremely high uptake in the lung (182.33% at 15 min, 125.54% at 60 min), probably due to the formation of large molecular weight complex and aggregates which are trapped in the lung, and its hepatic uptake was lower than 111In-oligo-bt-Av. 111In-oligo-bt-Av, which exhibited the highest hepatic uptake in vivo, also showed high and rapid internalization into hepatocytes. The avidin-biotin system seems to have potential as a carrier of oligo-DNA to the liver.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Three-dimensional structures of avidin and the avidin-biotin complex.

The crystal structures of a deglycosylated form of the egg-white glycoprotein avidin and of its complex with biotin have been determined to 2.6 and 3.0 A, respectively. The structures reveal the amino acid residues critical for stabilization of the tetrameric assembly and for the exceptionally tight binding of biotin. Each monomer is an eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel, remarkably similar to that of the genetically distinct bacterial analog streptavidin. As in streptavidin, binding of biotin involves a highly stabilized network of polar and hydrophobic interactions. There are, however, some differences. The presence of additional hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in the binding site of avidin (which are missing in streptavidin) may account for its higher affinity constant. Two amino acid substitutions are proposed to be responsible for its susceptibility to denaturation relative to streptavidin. Unexpectedly, a residual N-acetylglucosamine moiety was detected in the deglycosylated avidin monomer by difference Fourier synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Biotin radioligand assay with an 125I-labeled biotin derivative, avidin, and avidin double-antibody reagents.

We describe a new radioligand assay for determining biotin in biological fluids by using a mixture of N-[beta-(4-OH-3-125I-phenyl)ethyl]- and N-[beta-(4-OH-3,5-di-125I-phenyl)ethyl]biotinamides as radiotracer, avidin as a binding protein, and an avidin double-antibody as a separation reagent. The radiotracer is synthesized by coupling (at pH 8.5, 20-22 degrees C, 90 min) N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin to radioiodinated tyramine. The assay curve is linear and the assay itself is sensitive (less than 10 ng/L), reproducible (intra- and interassay CVs 4.1% and 7.0%, respectively), and allows the simultaneous handling of more than 100 samples in less than 4 h. Serum samples from apparently normal subjects contained 100-840 ng of biotin per liter (mean 340 ng/L). Pregnant women had low concentrations of biotin (100-300 ng/L) in their serum. Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatment showed high concentrations (0.5-3.0 micrograms/L), which may be ascribable to the inability of avidin, which was used as the assay binding protein, to distinguish biotin from biotinyl derivatives with an intact ureido ring.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

Molecular events in the processing of avidin by antigen-presenting cells (APC). I. The immune response of T lymphocytes to avidin is regulated by H-2-linked Ir genes.

The immune response of T lymphocytes to avidin was measured by proliferative assays, antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity. Mice of H-2k haplotypes were found to be low responders, whereas mice of other haplotypes, and particularly of H-2s, were high responders. Ir genes controlling this response were mapped to the I subregion of H-2. Helper T cells were found to be responsible for the Ir phenotype of antibody production. These results indicate the feasibility of using the avidin-biotin complex as a tool for studying molecular mechanisms by which antigens under Ir gene control are processed and presented to T lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Molecular events in the processing of avidin by antigen-presenting cells (APC). III. Activation of T-lymphocyte lines and H-2 restriction are mediated by processed avidin associated with I-region gene products.

We investigated the interaction between processed avidin (PA) and avidin-specific lines of T lymphocytes free of resident antigen-presenting cells (APC). We found that PA was able to replace the requirement for APC in the T-lymphocyte proliferative assay, only if the PA was associated with an Ia-positive moiety (IPM) supplied by the APC. In addition to supplying a necessary signal for a proliferative response to PA, IPM imposed H-2 restriction on the PA molecule. The association between PA and IPM was reversible and the two moieties could be physically separated and recombined. The results support a conclusion that major histocompatibility restriction of the interaction between T lymphocytes and APC is due to the association between processed antigen and an APC element containing I-region products.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Sensitivity and detection efficiency of the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP), avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC), and peroxidase-labeled avidin-biotin (LAB) methods.

The authors have examined the sensitivity and detection efficiency of the three peroxidase methods that currently have the widest application in diagnostic immunohistochemistry: the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), the avidin-biotin complex (ABC), and the labeled avidin-biotin (LAB) methods. Sensitivity was evaluated by determining the highest useful dilution of polyclonal antiglucagon antibodies applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human pancreas. Detection efficiency was evaluated by tabulation of the total number of positive (three or more positive cells) islets. On direct comparison, the LAB method exceeded the PAP and ABC methods in both sensitivity and detection efficiency, which were essentially equal. Titration of linking antiserum of the PAP method boosted its sensitivity and detection efficiency above that of ABC; the PAP had equal sensitivity to the LAB and exceeded it in detection efficiency. The authors conclude that comparisons of immunohistologic methods are meaningful only if both sensitivity and efficiency are considered along with the unique requirements of any single method.

Avidin↗
PubMed1987

Immunolocalization of Gla proteins (osteocalcin) in rat tooth germs: comparison between indirect immunofluorescence, peroxidase-antiperoxidase, avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex, and avidin-biotin-gold complex with silver enhancement.

Odontoblasts and osteoblasts synthesize gamma-carboxyglutamatic acid (Gla)-containing proteins which are partially deposited in the mineralizing tissues and partially released into the plasma. Using four immunostaining techniques, we have evaluated the question of whether dentin Gla proteins (DGP) are transported to the mineralization front through the odontoblast processes. Undecalcified sections of rat incisors and molar tooth germs were immunostained with affinity-purified antibodies to DGP using the following methods: indirect immunofluorescence; peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP); avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC-peroxidase); and avidin-biotin-gold complex with silver enhancement (ABC-GSS). The results obtained with these four procedures were compared with respect to the developmental appearance of DGP, staining intensity and presence in odontoblastic processes, predentin, dentin, and blood vessels. Qualitatively, similar results were obtained with the four, with respect to the distribution and developmental appearance of DGP, with two exceptions: indirect immunofluorescence never stained DGP within blood vessels, whereas the other methods occasionally did; and because of its sensitivity, only the ABC-GSS method revealed immunostaining for DGP in odontoblastic processes. All methods revealed weak immunostaining in predentin which was considerably enhanced with hyaluronidase treatment; however, hyaluronidase only moderately increased predentin immunostaining with ABC-GSS. Of these four procedures, ABC-GSS is the most sensitive; however, ABC-GSS appears to detect predominantly antigens at the surface of tissue sections. We conclude that DGP is present in odontoblastic processes but in low amounts; the weak staining was due either to rapid transport of DGP through the process or to the fact that this mode of transport is limited.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cloning and sequencing of the chicken egg-white avidin-encoding gene and its relationship with the avidin-related genes Avr1-Avr5.

The gene encoding chicken egg-white avidin (Avd) was amplified from chromosomal DNA, cloned and sequenced. The entire coding region of preavidin (pre-Avd) containing four exons was identified by comparing the Avd gene (1119 bp) with the cDNA. It has a high identity percentage (91-95%) with the previously isolated Avd-related genes 1-5 (Avr1-Avr5). Interestingly, comparison of Avd with the Avr genes showed that the introns were better conserved (on average 97%) than the exons (90%). The Avd gene, as well as the cDNA, encodes a Gln residue at position 53 of the mature protein, which is in contrast to the previously determined amino-acid sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Avidin-EITC: an alternative to avidin-FITC in confocal scanning laser microscopy.

Detection of fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled conjugates is suboptimal in two-color confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM). This limits the detection of small, dimly fluorescent targets. We explored the possible advantages of applying eosin-5-isothiocyanate (EITC) conjugated to avidin (Av-EITC) as an alternative for Av-FITC in CSLM. Despite the lower quantum efficiency of EITC, we found that the measured Av-EITC and Av-FITC emission intensities were similar as a result of the standard filter combinations used for simultaneous two-color detection in the Bio-Rad MRC 600 CSLM. The advantage of Av-EITC was that its fading characteristics compared very favorably to those of Av-FITC. An excitation intensity-dependent increase in Av-EITC fluorescence was observed, followed by an exponential decrease. This increase in fluorescence allows longer observation times, averaging of several scans without loss of brightness, and thus detection of dimly fluorescent targets by CSLM.

Avidin↗