Maleimides are chosen in histology for their unique chemical properties. They form stable covalent bonds with thiol groups, often found in cysteine residues of proteins. This stability is advantageous in tissue fixation and fluorescent labeling, where it is critical to maintain the integrity of the conjugate during subsequent processing steps. Additionally, maleimides exhibit minimal cross-reactivity with other functional groups, ensuring highly specific labeling of target molecules.
