Biocytin

DescriptionBiocytin is a conjugate of biotin and lysine known formally as ε-N-(d-biotinyl)-L-lysine. The addition of lysine to biotin increases the chain length extending from biotin, allowing the synthesis of medium-chain reagents. It also provides terminal carboxyl and amino groups for derivatization or conjugation to proteins and other molecules. Covalent linking reactions typically involve carbodiimide or NHS-ester crosslinking chemistries. Biocytin is also used as an anterograde, retrograde, or intracellular neuroanatomical tracer that is fixable with aldehyde-based fixatives. For this and other applications, biocytin is detected with avidin or streptavidin probes.

UsesUseful for the synthesis of Biocytin containing peptides to study the mechanism of reactions catalyzed by biotin - containing enzymes

UsesBiocytin can be used as a versatile fluorescent marker for neuroanatomical investigations and for a biotinidase assay.

UsesBiocytin is used as a substrate to study the specificity and kinetics of biotinidase(s), to measure biotinidase deficiency and as a model compound to study various uptake mechanisms of cells and tissues. Biocytin has been used to label neurons, medium spiny neurons and optic nerves.