ANTIGENIC PROTEIN CONJUGATES AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING SAME

摘要

An improved process for the preparation of antigenic protein conjugates i s provided. The conjugates preferably are formed through reaction with one o r more free sulfhydryl groups in the antigenic protein. The process of the p resent invention preferably employs a trialkylphosphine as the reducing agen t and allows for reduction of disulfide bonds in the antigenic protein and c onjugation with a conjugate moiety, preferably in a single reaction vessel ( i.e. "in situ") because the process optimally does not require the removal o f the reducing agent before subsequent addition of the sulfhydryl reactive a gent. Antigenic protein conjugates prepared by the in situ process and their use in diagnostic immunoassays are also provided.