Conjugation of various
reagents to antibodies has long been an
elegant way to combine the superior binding features of the antibody
with other desired but non-natural functions. Applications range from
labels for detection in different analytical assays to the creation
of new drugs by conjugation to molecules which improves the pharmaceutical
effect. In many of these applications, it has been proven advantageous
to control both the site and the stoichiometry of the conjugation
to achieve a homogeneous product with predictable, and often also
improved, characteristics. For this purpose, many research groups
have, during the latest decade, reported novel methods and techniques,
based on small molecules, peptides, and proteins with inherent affinity
for the antibody, for site-specific conjugation of antibodies. This
review provides a comprehensive overview of these methods and their
applications and also describes a historical perspective of the field.