Sulfo-NHS-Biotin (N-Hydroxysulfosuccinimidobiotin) is an amine-reactive biotinylation reagent. The most common amine-reactive biotinylation reagents can be divied into two basic types, N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters and carboxylates. Generally, NHS esters biotinylation reagent contains a reactive NHS ring structure that reacts with an amine on the carbonyl group of a protein or other molecules through nucleophilic attack subsequently forming a stable amide linkage and releasing the NHS group. Due to the insolubility of NHS-biotin in aqueous environments, sulfo-NHS-biotin, a water-soluble analog of NHS-biotin, has been developed by attaching a negatively charged sulfonate group on the NHS ring structure, which can be added directly to aqueous reactions without the need for organic solvent dissolution.ReferenceBioconjugate Techniques , 2nd ed. By Greg T.Hermanson (Pierce Biotechnology, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Rockford, IL). Academic Press (an imprint of Elsevier): London, Amsterdam, Burlington, San Diego . 2008. ISBN 978-0-12-370501-3.
