Immobilized Ficin Agarose Resin

Ficin is a cysteine protease enzyme which is derived from the latex of fig trees with activity similar to other cysteine protease enzymes including endopeptidases, aminopeptidases, and dipeptidyl peptidases. Ficin cleaves mouse immunoglobulin G molecules (IgG1) in the hinge region. The concentration of cysteine changes how ficin cleaves IgG1. A F (ab’) 2 fragment is formed in the presence of 1mM cysteine. The F (ab’) 2 fragments are smaller than whole IgG molecules and better penetrate tissue for antigen recognition while avoiding unspecific binding to Fc receptors. In the presence of 10mM cysteine, two 2 Fab fragments are produced instead. F (ab) fragments block background from primary antibody binding, and block endogenous and exposed immunoglobulins and tissues in labeling experiments.Immobilized Ficin Agarose Resinoffers a convenient solution to the production of F (ab’) 2and Fab fragments while eliminating autolysis and protease contamination and the need to remove the enzymes following digestion. Fab and F (ab’) 2can be further separated from whole IgG with eitherProtein A Agarose Resin (GoldBio Product # P-400) or ion exchange chromatography.Activity:1-1.5 mg ficin/ml of resinSupport: 6% Cross-linked Agarose