Vector Laboratories fluorochrome-conjugated streptavidin and avidin reagents are highly purified and possess very low non-specific binding properties. They have extremely high affinity for biotin. These fluorescent conjugates can be used to detect biotinylated secondary antibodies and other macromolecules in applications such as immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, or flow cytometry.

Amplification of fluorescent signals can be easily achieved with our biotinylated secondary antibodies followed by our highly purified fluorochrome-labeled streptavidin or avidin. Using a biotin/avidin or biotin/streptavidin detection system results in an additional layer of amplification over a directly conjugated secondary antibody.

AMCA Streptavidin is produced by conjugating streptavidin with a coumarin fluorescent dye, 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid. This derivative excites in the ultraviolet (350 nm) and emits in the visible (450 nm) producing an intense blue fluorescence. Most paraffin-embedded tissues have little autofluorescence under those conditions. AMCA Streptavidin may provide an advantage in many labeling situations over conjugates of fluorescein and related dyes. AMCA Streptavidin can be used on frozen or paraffin-embedded sections as a single label or in combination with other fluorescent conjugates for multiple labeling studies.