Product manual
Product use, preparation, operating conditions and storage.
QF dyesReactive dye
QF500 NHS Ester
Cat. No.QH-11-QF500
Label proteins, peptides and amino-modified molecules by coupling the NHS ester to accessible primary amines.
Packs & quoteNHS
Activated esterR–NH₂
Primary amineCO–NH–R
Amide linkageExcitation426 nm
Emission498 nm
TargetProtein N-termini, lysine residues and introduced primary amines
Preparation and storage
- Storage
- Store at -20°C, protect from light and moisture
Primary-amine coupling
The NHS ester forms an amide bond with a primary amine; hydrolysis competes with coupling. Proteins usually contain multiple accessible sites, and the input ratio is not the final degree of labeling.
Protein and antibody labeling
For samples with accessible primary amines. Check antigen binding, enzyme activity or the required function after purification.
Amino-modified nucleic acids and peptides
Confirm the number and protection state of amino handles, then choose purification and analysis for the intended product.
Actual QF detection window
Select channels from this catalog number’s excitation and emission values. Check QF405A, QF405B, QF500 and other products individually rather than deriving 405, 488 or 500 nm settings from their names.
Specifications
Product information
- Product name
- QF500 NHS Ester
- Cat. No.
- QH-11-QF500
- Product form
- NHS Ester
- Target
- Protein N-termini, lysine residues and introduced primary amines
- Pack sizes
- 1 mg / 5 mg / 10 mg / 25 mg / 100 mg
Preparation and properties
- Excitation wavelength
- 426 nm
- Emission wavelength
- 498 nm
- Storage
- Store at -20°C, protect from light and moisture
Spectral information and detection
Product parameters
Use parameters for the exact catalog number when preparing reagents, setting reagent input or calculating results. Request a lot-specific CoA for test results.
Protocol
Buffer
Avoid competing primary amines such as Tris, glycine and free amino acids. Remove carrier proteins such as BSA when they are not intended for labeling. Use a primary-amine-free buffer compatible with the sample.
Dye and input calculation
Prepare the activated ester using a solvent supported for this product. Convert sample and dye amounts to moles using their molecular weights and record the final organic-solvent fraction.
Confirm the NHS product version
This product is an NHS ester; use instructions for its exact catalog number for preparation and protein labeling. PEG12-MAL or DBCO versions sharing a QF name have different reactive ends and their instructions do not substitute for this one.
Exchange the sample buffer
Exchange into a suitable buffer and check concentration, purity, pH and visible aggregation.
Set up a reaction series
Use a small sample to compare dye input ratios. Mix gently, protect from light and record pH, temperature and time. Select conditions from this product’s instructions and sample tolerance.
Purification and analysis
Select desalting, size-exclusion separation, dialysis or chromatography for the sample size. Remove free reagent before measuring concentration, labeling density and function. Residual free dye raises background and biases labeling-density calculations.
Assess the conjugate
Calculate labeling density with appropriate extinction coefficients and absorbance corrections, then select conditions based on background, recovery and function.
Request product documentation
Select a document and enter your phone and email. Include the lot number for a CoA.
QF500 NHS EsterQH-11-QF500
Spectra and measurement conditions
Spectra, measurement conditions and detection settings for the exact catalog number.
Certificate of analysis (CoA)
Lot-specific test results. Include the lot number from the vial.
Safety data sheet (SDS)
Handling, storage and emergency response information.
Quality and lot information
Unlabeled sample
Use an unlabeled aliquot from the same preparation to assess changes in function, aggregation and recovery.
Free dye and negative sample
Include free-dye or no-target-handle controls to distinguish conjugation from adsorption. Match exposure, gain or voltage during detection.
Input titration
Compare a molar input series and assess signal, negative background, product recovery and function together.
Technical articles
Buffer checks before NHS labeling
Tris and glycine consume NHS dye. BSA and gelatin require separation from the target protein; routine buffer exchange is insufficient.
For protein preparation before NHS-ester labeling; check competing amines and carrier proteins.
Antibody DOL calculation and quality assessment
Calculate DOL with absorbance correction, distinguish input ratio from attached dye, and assess recovery and binding.
For purified protein conjugates; use this dye’s absorbance parameters and distinguish input ratio from DOL.
Application support
Include your sample, formulation and detection method when requesting application guidance.
References
Labeling a protein with fluorophores using NHS ester derivitization
Nanda JS, Lorsch JR. · Methods in Enzymology · 536:87–94 · 2014
Uses FAM ester labeling of a protein to explain primary-amine chemistry and labeling-efficiency assessment. It informs NHS workflow design; input and reaction conditions depend on the actual dye and sample.
Fluorescent-labeled antibodies: Balancing functionality and degree of labeling
Vira S, Mekhedov E, Humphrey G, Blank PS. · Analytical Biochemistry · 402(2):146–150 · 2010
Uses FITC-labeled anti-HA antibody to assess changes in labeling density and antigen binding. It informs input-series design and post-purification functional testing; DOL alone is insufficient for selecting a conjugate.
Frequently asked questions
Can it directly label unmodified nucleic acids?
Routine NHS coupling requires an accessible primary amine. Confirm a suitable amino modification on the oligonucleotide.
Is a higher degree of labeling better?
Overlabeling can affect binding, solubility or signal. Assess specific signal, background and function after purification.
Can aqueous stock be stored for extended periods?
Activated esters hydrolyze in water. Use only the stock solvent, concentration and storage conditions supported for this product.