Anti-GFP-ZAP

a chemical conjugate of the antibody to green fluorescent protein (GFP)
and the ribosome-inactivating protein, saporin

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is composed of 238 amino acids (26.9kDa), and exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to blue light. Although many marine organisms have similar green fluorescent proteins, GFP traditionally refers to the protein first isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. The GFP from A. victoria has a major excitation peak at a wavelength of 395 nm and a minor one at 475 nm. Its emission peak is at 509 nm which is in the lower green portion of the visible spectrum. The GFP from the sea pansy (Renilla reniformis) has a single major excitation peak at 498 nm. In cell and molecular biology, the GFP gene is frequently used as a reporter of expression. In modified forms it has been used to make biosensors, and many organisms have been created that express GFP as a proof-of-concept that a gene can be expressed throughout a given organism. The GFP gene can be introduced into organisms and maintained in their genome through breeding, injection with a viral vector, or cell transformation.

Anti-GFP-ZAP uses the secondary antibody (anti-GFP) to "piggyback" onto YOUR cells expressing extracellular GFP to evaluate the expression of your target. Once the conjugate is internalized, saporin breaks away from the targeting agent and inactivates the ribosomes, which causes protein inhibition and, ultimately, cell death.

Elimination of Specific Cell-Type

• Anti-GFP-ZAP specifically eliminates cells demonstrating extracellular expression of GFP.

Protocols: Preparing for a Cytotoxicity Assay; Preparing Test Samples

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Check out these articles in Targeting Trends for more information:

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