G-Biosciences’ cross-linking agents contain at least two reactive groups that are reactive towards numerous groups, including sulfhydryls, amines and carbohydrates, and create chemical covalent bonds between two or more molecules. Functional groups that can be targeted with cross-linking agents are primary amines, carboxyls, sulfhydryls, carbohydrates and carboxylic acids. Protein molecules have many of these functional groups and therefore proteins and peptides can be readily conjugated using cross-linking agents.

G-Biosciences’ cross-linking agents are used for the following applications: protein structural and functional studies, cell membrane structural studies, protein & receptor interactions, cell surface studies, solid-phase immobilization, preparation of immunogens, immunotoxins and other conjugated protein reagents, protein to DNA/RNA cross-linking, reactive group transfer, protein-protein conjugation, and for immunological tools.

To select a cross-linking reagent several factors need to be considered (see selection guide). These factors include: Reactive Toward: determines the target residues to be cross-linked (select a reagent that does not interfere with protein function); Membrane Permeability: for cell surface labeling, select non-membrane permeable reagents; Cleavable: for easy release of cross-linked proteins from solid supports or for further downstream applications; Reversible: an alternative to cleavable reagents; Steric Hinderance: bulky groups around the binding site may require reagents with longer spacer arms.

G-Biosciences offers a variety of cross-linking agents, reaction specific buffers and accessories for performing and facilitating cross-linking applications. G-Biosciences’ cross-linking agents are divided into groups dependent on the number and similarity of the reactive groups. Photoreactive groups are used when no specific groups are available to react with as photoreactive groups react non-specifically upon exposure to UV light.