The labelling of proteins to high specific radioactivities by conjugation to a 125I-containing acylating agent. Application to the radioimmunoassay

1. A new method is described for labelling proteins to high specific radioactivities with (125)I. The protein is treated with a (125)I-labelled acylating agent, iodinated 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, which reacts with free amino groups in the protein molecule to attach the (125)I-labelled groups by amide bonds. 2. Three protein hormones have been labelled by this method, human growth hormone, human thyroid-stimulating hormone and human luteinizing hormone. Specific radioactivities of up to 170, 120 and 55muCi/mug respectively have been obtained for these hormones. 3. The immunoreactivity of these labelled hormones has been investigated by using a radioimmunoassay system specific for each hormone. These preparations have also been compared with and found to be equal or superior to labelled hormones prepared by chemical substitution of (125)I into tyrosine residues of the proteins by using the chloramine-t-oxidation procedure. 4. With some antisera the immunoreactivity of the antigen was diminished by the introduction of a single I atom into the tyrosyl groups, whereas antigen containing a single (125)I-labelled 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionamide group showed the same immunoreactivity as the unmodified antigen.