Home Protocols Labeling of Proteins in Solution (E9100)

Labeling of Proteins in Solution (E9100)

Introduction

The supplied dye substrates can also be used to label SNAP-tag fusion proteins in solution for biochemical applications including FRET, labeling of proteins used for detection, etc. 

Preparation of Labeling Stock Solution 

Dissolve one vial of SNAP-tag substrate in 3.3 μl of DMSO to yield a labeling stock solution of 3 mM SNAP-Cell 505 or 1.8 mM SNAP-Cell TMR-Star. Mix periodically for 10 minutes until all the SNAP-tag substrate is dissolved. Store this stock solution in the dark at 4°C, or for extended storage at -20°C. Different stock concentrations can be made, depending on your requirements. The substrates are soluble up to at least 10 mM.

Protocol

  1. Protocol for Solution Labeling Reaction

    Prepare a protein solution containing up to 20 μM SNAP-tag fusion protein to be labeled in an appropriate buffer containing at least 1 mM DTT. We recommend labeling at least 100 μl of protein solution per experiment. The SNAP-tag labeling reaction works well between pH 5 and 10, and at NaCl concentrations from 15 mM to 1 M.
  2. Add SNAP-tag substrate solution to a total volume of 1% of the volume of the protein solution (final concentration 30 μM SNAP-Cell 505, or 18 μM SNAP-Cell TMR-Star). Carefully pipette the material up and down to mix, and vortex briefly.
  3. Incubate for 1 hour at 25°C in the dark. Alternatively incubate overnight at 4°C in the dark.

    Removal of Unreacted Substrate (optional)

    After the labeling reaction you may wish to separate the nonreacted substrate from the labeled SNAP-tag fusion protein. You can use gel filtration or dialysis. Please refer to the vendor’s instructions for the separation tools you are using.
Note for Labeling in Solution: We recommend the routine addition of 1 mM DTT to all buffers used for handling, labeling and storage of the SNAP-tag. The stability of the SNAP-tag is improved in the presence of reducing agents; however it can also be labeled in their absence (e.g. for a redox-sensitive protein) if handling at temperatures above 4˚C is minimized. SNAP-tag fusion proteins can be purified before labeling, but the labeling reaction also works in non-purified protein solutions (including cell lysates).

Problems with Labeling in Solution 

Solubility 

If solubility problems occur with your SNAP-tag fusion protein, we recommend testing a range of pH (pH 5.0–pH 10.0) and ionic strengths. The salt concentration may also need to be optimized for your particular fusion protein (50–250 mM). 

Loss of Protein due to Aggregation or Sticking to Tube 

If stickiness of the fusion protein is a problem we recommend adding Tween 20 at a final concentration of 0.05% to 0.1%. The SNAP-tag activity is not affected by this concentration of Tween 20. 

Incomplete Labeling 

If exhaustive labeling of a protein sample is not achieved using the recommended conditions, try the following protocol modifications: Double the incubation time to two hours total at 25°C or to 24 hours at 4°C; or halve the volume of protein solution labeled (50 μl of a solution containing up to 20 μM SNAP-tag fusion protein). Both approaches may be combined. If you still have poor labeling results, we recommend checking the activity of the SNAP-tag using SNAP-Vista. 

If the SNAP-tag fusion has been stored in the absence of DTT or other reducing agent, or has been stored at 4˚C for a prolonged period, its activity may be compromised. Include 1 mM DTT in all solutions of the SNAP-tag fusion protein, and store the fusion protein at -20˚C. 

Using less than the recommended amount of substrate stock solution (1%) can significantly slow down the reaction rate. 

Loss of Activity of Protein of Interest 

If your fusion protein is particularly sensitive to degradation or to loss of activity, you can try reducing the labeling time or decreasing the labeling temperature. If you label at 4°C we recommend overnight incubation.