NONSPECIFIC SERUM BINDING TO STREPTAVIDIN IN A BIOTINYLATED PEPTIDE-BASED ENZYME-IMMUNOASSAY

Streptavidin coated microtitre wells can be used to provide attachment to biotinylated peptides, regardless of charge and size, for use in a n enzyme immunoassay. Considerable non-specific human serum binding to streptavidin at the recommended concentration was noted. The level of binding varied considerably with serum samples and was unrelated to p revious streptococcal disease. Strategies used to reduce this phenomen on included pre-absorption of serum with streptavidin and reducing the streptavidin concentration in the wells. Significant reduction in bin ding was found with a reduction in streptavidin concentration from the recommended concentration of 0.5 ug/well to 0.01 ug/well.