- streptavidin
- A bacterial protein used as a probe in immunologic assays because of its strong affinity and specificity for biotin; s. is used as a bridge to link a chromogen to a biotinylated substrate specific for the substance of interest. [streptococcus + avidin]
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strep·ta·vi·din .strep-'tav-əd-ən, -tə-'vīd-ən n a protein similar to avidin that is produced by a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces (S. avidinii), has four identical subunits that each bind tightly to a molecule of biotin, and is used esp. in the detection of molecules (as nucleic acids or antibodies) linked to a biotin label* * *
strep·tav·i·din (strep-tavґĭ-din) a bacterial protein used as a probe in immunologic and biochemical assays because of its great affinity and specificity for biotin; it is frequently part of an indirect system in which specific substrates are biotinylated and then visualized by binding streptavidin to which is linked an easily detected compound, such as a fluorochrome.Streptavidin used to detect IL-9 protein, a cytokine expressed at high levels by eosinophils of individuals with asthma. Eosinophils from subjects with asthma (A) and nonasthmatic, nonatopic control subjects (B) were stained with goat polyclonal antibody to IL-9, followed by biotin-labeled rabbit anti-goat streptavidin alkaline phosphatase, then counterstained with hematoxylin. Goat IgG was used as a negative control (B, D). The intensity of red staining indicates the level of expression of IL-9 by the cells.
Medical dictionary. 2011.