Anti-EF5 Antibody, clone ELK3-51 Antibody, Alexa Fluor(R) 488 conjugate clone ELK3-51, from mouse, ALEXA FLUOR(R) 488

A number of imaging markers which target hypoxia exist and are widely used in research. EF5 (2-(2-Nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl) acetamide) is a compound developed at the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Cameron Koch and Dr. Sydney Evans. Upon injection into animal tissues, EF5 selectively binds to hypoxic cells and forms adducts. A mouse monoclonal antibody, clone ELK3-51, which is directly conjugated to Alexa Fluor(R) 488, is then used to selectively bind the EF5 adducts providing a sensitive and quantitative method to detect and measure tissue hypoxia in animal and human tumors, normal tissues and cells.Advantages of the EF5 hypoxia detection method:• EF5 exists in only one form; Pimidozole, an alternative hypoxia marker, exists in two forms; one of which is charged and very hydrophilic, the other lipophilic. Pimidozole thus has a very complex biodistribution. In contrast, EF5 is lipophilic and uncharged and this allows very rapid and even tissue distribution. • EF5 binding images can be calibrated to provide quantitative data on the pO2 values of each cell (1). The fluorescent images obtained from EF5 binding can be calibrated according to camera settings and a "cube-binding" value which is obtained through a separate procedure. The intensity values of calibrated images are directly related to actual tissue pO2 values. As a result, these images provide information regarding not only where hypoxic areas may or may not be, but also data regarding the distribution and levels of hypoxia.Reference:Koch CJ (2002) Measurement of absolute oxygen levels in cells and tissues using oxygen sensors and 2-nitroimidazole EF5. Methods in Enzymology 352: 3-31.