Labelling and selection of molecules

Abstract

A method of labelling molecules which includes providing in a common medium a label molecule, a marker ligand able to bind a member of a specific binding pair, such as an antigen, a sbp member, an enzyme able to catalyze binding of the label molecule to other molecules, the enzyme being associated with the marker ligand; causing or allowing binding of the marker ligand to the sbp member; and causing or allowing binding of the label molecule to other molecules in the vicinity of the marker ligand bound to the sbp member. The marker ligand may be an antibody or any specific binding molecule, such as a chemokine or cytokine. A complementary member of the specific binding pair may be included, e.g. an antibody, or a diverse population of such sbp members, e.g. antibodies, may be included within which those which bind the counterpart sbp member, e.g. antigen, may be labelled and subsequently isolated for manipulation and/or use. Suitable labels include biotin-tyramine with signal transfer being catalysed by hydrogen peroxidase. Cells, virus particles and other moieties may be labelled, for identification or obtention of proteins which interact or are in close proximity with a particular sbp member, or of cells of interest, or for enhancement of labelling, e.g. for cell sorting.