streptavidin

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]

* * *

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.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Streptavidin — is a 53,000 dalton [ [http://www.piercenet.com/Products/Browse.cfm?fldID=01021102 NeutrAvidin Agarose and other NeutrAvidin Beads ] ] tetrameric protein purified from the bacterium Streptomyces avidinii . It finds wide use in molecular biology… …   Wikipedia

  • Streptavidin — (Streptomyces avidinii) Monomere Untereinheit von Streptavidin im Bändermodell mit geb …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • streptavidin — streptavidin. См. стрептавидин. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • streptavidin — A small bacterial protein that binds with high affinity to the vitamin biotin. This streptavidin biotin combination can be used to link molecules such as radioisotopes and monoclonal antibodies together. These bound products have the property of… …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • streptavidin — Analogue of avidin. A protein isolated from Streptomycetes avidiniithat has a high affinity for biotin. Used to detect biotin markers …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • streptavidin — noun A tetrameric protein purified from Streptomyces avidinii that binds very tightly to the vitamin biotin …   Wiktionary

  • streptavidin — strep·ta·vi·din …   English syllables

  • streptavidin — A microbial protein with a high affinity for the B complex vitamin biotin. The specific interaction of these two molecules has been exploited in labelling technology and in applications where a specific molecule needs to be captured or purified …   Glossary of Biotechnology

  • streptavidin — ˌstrepˈtavədə̇n, təˈvīdən noun Etymology: New Latin strept (from Streptomyces) + English avidin : a protein similar to avidin that is produced by a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces (S. avidinii), has four identical subunits that each bind… …   Useful english dictionary

  • CC49-streptavidin — A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made by combining the monoclonal antibody CC49 with a chemical called streptavidin. It can find tumor cells that have the protein TAG 72 on their surface, including colon,… …   English dictionary of cancer terms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”