The Hello Bio Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugation kit allows the conjugation of antibodies and proteins to Janelia Fluor® 549 in as little at 90 minutes (15 minutes active time) with a high degree of labeling. There are many benefits of directly labeled proteins and antibodies such as:
Much easier multiplexing - no need to mix and match antibody species correctly
Avoid non-specific binding by secondary antibodies
Save time by shortening staining protocols.
Requirements
Not compatible with BSA containing antibodies or proteins as this will reduce the taget labeling. These should be removed before processing.
The protein to be labeled should be greater than 7kDa in size
The antibody concentration should be at least 1mg/ml, lower concentrations can be used however this will effect the degree of labeling.
Pack size guidance
Please note:
The 2x50µg packsize is sufficient to carry out 2 conjugation reactions on 50µg protein each.
The 3x100µg packsize is sufficent to carry out 3 conjugation reactions on 100µg protein each.
Description
Kit for conjugation of antibodies and other proteins to Janelia Fluor® 549
Figure 1. Janelia Fluor 549 conjugated anti-NeuN antibody staining in rat hippocampus
A rabbit polyclonal anti-NeuN antibody (HB6498) was conjugated to Janelia Fluor 549 and used to stain rat hippocampal sections. Method: Rat brains were then dissected and fixed overnight in 4% PFA before then being incubated in 30% sucrose (in PBS) until sunk (approx. 48hrs). A freezing microtome was used to cut 40µm horizontal slices before sections were incubated in 1% NaBH4 for 30 minutes. Sections were blocked in 0.05M glycine, 2% BSA and 3% goat serum before incubation overnight in HB6498 (4µg/ml). DAPI (HB0747) was then incubated at 1µg/ml to visualise cell nuclei. For more detail please see our IHC(IF) protocol. The image was captured using a Leica DMI6000B inverted epifluorescence microscope coupled to a Photometric Prime 95B camera utilising a 10x objective and DAPI / TX2 filters. Images were captured as a stack before being deconvolved using Huygens Professional software then flattened using a maximum Z projection in ImageJ (Schindelin et al., 2012. Nat Methods, 9(7), 676–682).
Figure 2. Janelia Fluor 549 conjugated anti-NeuN antibody staining in rat cortex.
A rabbit polyclonal anti-NeuN antibody (HB6498) was conjugated to Janelia Fluor 549 and used to stain rat cortical sections. Method: Rat brains were then dissected and fixed overnight in 4% PFA before then being incubated in 30% sucrose (in PBS) until sunk (approx. 48hrs). A freezing microtome was used to cut 40µm horizontal slices before sections were incubated in 1% NaBH4 for 30 minutes. Sections were blocked in 0.05M glycine, 2% BSA and 3% goat serum before incubation overnight in HB6498 (4µg/ml). DAPI (HB0747) was then incubated at 1µg/ml to visualise cell nuclei. For more detail please see our IHC(IF) protocol. The image was captured using a Leica DMI6000B inverted epifluorescence microscope coupled to a Photometric Prime 95B camera utilising a 10x objective and DAPI / TX2 filters. Images were captured as a stack before being deconvolved using Huygens Professional software then flattened using a maximum Z projection in ImageJ (Schindelin et al., 2012. Nat Methods, 9(7), 676–682).
Figure 3. Janelia Fluor 549 conjugated anti-NeuN antibody staining in rat brain
A rabbit polyclonal anti-NeuN antibody (HB6498) was conjugated to Janelia Fluor 549 and used to stain rat brain sections. Method: Rat brains were then dissected and fixed overnight in 4% PFA before then being incubated in 30% sucrose (in PBS) until sunk (approx. 48hrs). A freezing microtome was used to cut 40µm horizontal slices before sections were incubated in 1% NaBH4 for 30 minutes. Sections were blocked in 0.05M glycine, 2% BSA and 3% goat serum before incubation overnight in HB6498 (4µg/ml). DAPI (HB0747) was then incubated at 1µg/ml to visualise cell nuclei. For more detail please see our IHC(IF) protocol. The image was captured using a Leica SPE confocal laser scanning microscope attached to a Leica DMi8 inverted epifluorescence microscope. Images were captured as a stack before being deconvolved using Huygens Professional software then flattened using a maximum Z projection in ImageJ (Schindelin et al., 2012. Nat Methods, 9(7), 676–682).
Figure 4. Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugated secondary antibodies show superior antifade performance compared to those conjugated with DyLight 550
Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugated secondary antibodies show greater resistance to photobleaching than DyLight 550 conjugated secondaries in a HEK293T based cell assay. Method: HEK293T cells were cultured on 10mm coverslips and stained with HB6491 (1:8,000 dilution, 125ng/ml) and either a goat anti-mouse DyLight 550 or goat anti-mouse Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugated secondary antibody. For more information please see our ICC protocol. Imaging was conducted with a Leica SPE confocal laser scanning microscope where cells were repeatedly imaged with the 488nm laser at 100% power over 30 seconds of continuous exposure to induce photobleaching. Average intensity values were calculated from images then data was normalised to the first exposure frame to generate normalised intensity. Statistics: decay curve: F-test, F5,350=1685, p<0.0001, final intensity: two tailed t-test, t16=19.15, p<0.0001.
Figure 1. Janelia Fluor 549 conjugated anti-NeuN antibody staining in rat hippocampus
A rabbit polyclonal anti-NeuN antibody (HB6498) was conjugated to Janelia Fluor 549 and used to stain rat hippocampal sections. Method: Rat brains were then dissected and fixed overnight in 4% PFA before then being incubated in 30% sucrose (in PBS) until sunk (approx. 48hrs). A freezing microtome was used to cut 40µm horizontal slices before sections were incubated in 1% NaBH4 for 30 minutes. Sections were blocked in 0.05M glycine, 2% BSA and 3% goat serum before incubation overnight in HB6498 (4µg/ml). DAPI (HB0747) was then incubated at 1µg/ml to visualise cell nuclei. For more detail please see our IHC(IF) protocol. The image was captured using a Leica DMI6000B inverted epifluorescence microscope coupled to a Photometric Prime 95B camera utilising a 10x objective and DAPI / TX2 filters. Images were captured as a stack before being deconvolved using Huygens Professional software then flattened using a maximum Z projection in ImageJ (Schindelin et al., 2012. Nat Methods, 9(7), 676–682).
Figure 2. Janelia Fluor 549 conjugated anti-NeuN antibody staining in rat cortex.
A rabbit polyclonal anti-NeuN antibody (HB6498) was conjugated to Janelia Fluor 549 and used to stain rat cortical sections. Method: Rat brains were then dissected and fixed overnight in 4% PFA before then being incubated in 30% sucrose (in PBS) until sunk (approx. 48hrs). A freezing microtome was used to cut 40µm horizontal slices before sections were incubated in 1% NaBH4 for 30 minutes. Sections were blocked in 0.05M glycine, 2% BSA and 3% goat serum before incubation overnight in HB6498 (4µg/ml). DAPI (HB0747) was then incubated at 1µg/ml to visualise cell nuclei. For more detail please see our IHC(IF) protocol. The image was captured using a Leica DMI6000B inverted epifluorescence microscope coupled to a Photometric Prime 95B camera utilising a 10x objective and DAPI / TX2 filters. Images were captured as a stack before being deconvolved using Huygens Professional software then flattened using a maximum Z projection in ImageJ (Schindelin et al., 2012. Nat Methods, 9(7), 676–682).
Figure 3. Janelia Fluor 549 conjugated anti-NeuN antibody staining in rat brain
A rabbit polyclonal anti-NeuN antibody (HB6498) was conjugated to Janelia Fluor 549 and used to stain rat brain sections. Method: Rat brains were then dissected and fixed overnight in 4% PFA before then being incubated in 30% sucrose (in PBS) until sunk (approx. 48hrs). A freezing microtome was used to cut 40µm horizontal slices before sections were incubated in 1% NaBH4 for 30 minutes. Sections were blocked in 0.05M glycine, 2% BSA and 3% goat serum before incubation overnight in HB6498 (4µg/ml). DAPI (HB0747) was then incubated at 1µg/ml to visualise cell nuclei. For more detail please see our IHC(IF) protocol. The image was captured using a Leica SPE confocal laser scanning microscope attached to a Leica DMi8 inverted epifluorescence microscope. Images were captured as a stack before being deconvolved using Huygens Professional software then flattened using a maximum Z projection in ImageJ (Schindelin et al., 2012. Nat Methods, 9(7), 676–682).
Figure 4. Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugated secondary antibodies show superior antifade performance compared to those conjugated with DyLight 550
Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugated secondary antibodies show greater resistance to photobleaching than DyLight 550 conjugated secondaries in a HEK293T based cell assay. Method: HEK293T cells were cultured on 10mm coverslips and stained with HB6491 (1:8,000 dilution, 125ng/ml) and either a goat anti-mouse DyLight 550 or goat anti-mouse Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugated secondary antibody. For more information please see our ICC protocol. Imaging was conducted with a Leica SPE confocal laser scanning microscope where cells were repeatedly imaged with the 488nm laser at 100% power over 30 seconds of continuous exposure to induce photobleaching. Average intensity values were calculated from images then data was normalised to the first exposure frame to generate normalised intensity. Statistics: decay curve: F-test, F5,350=1685, p<0.0001, final intensity: two tailed t-test, t16=19.15, p<0.0001.
Can this conjugation kit be used with BSA containing antibodies?
This conjugation kit is not compatible with antibodies containing BSA in their storage buffer. This is because the concentration of BSA is much higher than the antibody meaning that using the standard protocol will result in an extremely low degree of labelling for the antibody. We recommend either purchasing BSA free antibodies or removing BSA from the buffer before conjugation.
How stable is the resulting fluorophore conjugated protein?
Because the conjugation reaction forms a covalent bond between the fluorophore and protein this results in a very stable conjugated protein. In our experience of conjugating antibodies, the fluorophore tagged antibodies are stable for at least a year at 4°C and much longer if stored correctly at either -20°C or -80°C.
References for Janelia Fluor® 549 conjugation kit
References are publications that support the biological activity of the product
A general method to fine-tune fluorophores for live-cell and in vivo imaging.