STREPAVIDIN Meaning and
Definition
-
Streptavidin is a protein that is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces avidinii. It is widely used in molecular biology and biochemical research owing to its strong affinity for biotin, a vitamin that plays a critical role in various biological processes. Streptavidin has a tetrameric structure, meaning it is composed of four identical subunits. Each subunit contains a biotin binding site, resulting in streptavidin's high binding affinity for biotin.
Streptavidin's strong and specific interaction with biotin makes it a valuable tool in many experimental techniques, such as immunoassays, protein purification, and affinity chromatography. It is commonly used as a detection reagent in biological assays, where it acts as a bridge between a biotinylated molecule and a reporter molecule (e.g., fluorescent dye or enzyme). Streptavidin's ability to bind biotin allows for the indirect detection or isolation of biotinylated molecules in various biological samples.
One of the key advantages of streptavidin is its stability, which enables its use in a wide range of experimental conditions. It can withstand high temperatures, extreme pH values, and denaturing agents without losing its binding capacity. This robustness makes streptavidin a reliable tool in many applications, including diagnostics, drug discovery, and the study of protein-protein interactions.
In summary, streptavidin is a tetrameric protein derived from Streptomyces avidinii that exhibits a strong and specific affinity for biotin. Its stability and versatility make it an invaluable reagent in various fields of research and biotechnology.
Common Misspellings for STREPAVIDIN
- atrepavidin
- ztrepavidin
- xtrepavidin
- dtrepavidin
- etrepavidin
- wtrepavidin
- srrepavidin
- sfrepavidin
- sgrepavidin
- syrepavidin
- s6repavidin
- s5repavidin
- steepavidin
- stdepavidin
- stfepavidin
- sttepavidin
- st5epavidin
- st4epavidin
- strwpavidin
- strspavidin
Etymology of STREPAVIDIN
The word "Strepavidin" is a combination of two parts: "Strep" and "avidin".
"Strep" refers to streptavidin, a protein derived from certain strains of bacteria called Streptomyces avidinii. Streptavidin was first discovered and isolated from Streptomyces avidinii in the 1970s.
"Avidin" is another protein that was originally derived from egg whites, particularly from the white of chicken eggs. It was first characterized in the 1940s.
When these two proteins were combined to create a fusion protein with enhanced properties, it was named "Strepavidin". The fusion protein was designed to retain the high affinity of avidin for its ligand (such as biotin) and the excellent stability and other useful characteristics of streptavidin.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
