牛病毒性腹泻病毒E2蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及初步鉴定

为制备牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)糖蛋白E2单克隆抗体(MAb),利用原核表达并且纯化的重组糖蛋白E2(rE2)免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫后小鼠脾细胞与骨髓瘤细胞SP2/0融合.采用以BVDV为检测抗原的间接ELISA筛选阳性细胞克隆,经3次克隆纯化后获得2株稳定分泌抗E2特异性MAb的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为4E3与1G11.用4E3与1G11杂交瘤细胞株接种BALB/c小鼠制备腹水,采用rE2及BVDV包被的ELISA测得的效价分别是6.21×106和6.83×105及6.83×105和7.5×104.间接ELISA、Western blot、IFA试验表明两株杂交瘤细胞所分泌的MAb具有良好的反应性和特异性.经抗体亚类鉴定4E3与1G11均为IgM/K.特异性试验表明4E3与1G11这2株MAb均不与牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒、牛副流感病毒3型、牛腺病毒3型反应;其中4E3不与猪瘟病毒反应,而1G11则可与猪瘟病毒发生交叉反应,这种反应特性可试用于BVDV与猪瘟病毒的鉴别诊断.所制备的4E3与1G11 MAb可以用于BVDV抗原的检测,为建立检测BVDV E2蛋白血清抗体的ELISA奠定了基础.     

抗iLRP单克隆抗体的制备和鉴定

为了研究抗iLRP (Immature laminin receptor protein)单克隆抗体在免疫治疗中的应用,本研究采用重组iLRP对6~8周龄BALB/c雌性小鼠进行免疫,取免疫后小鼠脾细胞与骨髓瘤细胞系SP2/0进行细胞融合,在HAT (Hypoxanthine aminopterin thymidine)半固体培养基上挑选分离明显的细胞克隆于96孔板培养后,取上清液通过ELISA法进行克隆筛选,初次筛选得到23株阳性克隆,复筛后得到13株稳定分泌抗体的细胞株。抗体类别鉴定显示,其中9株为IgM,3株为Ig G1,1株为IgG2a,轻链类型都为κ型。其中1株IgG1和IgG2a用于制备小鼠腹水,经Protein-G柱纯化,SDS-PAGE检测抗体纯度,Western blotting验证抗体特异性。结果表明,抗体纯度均大于90%,并与i LRP有明显的特异性结合。此结果为后续的深入研究提供了一套完整有效的抗iLRP单克隆抗体生产和鉴定的程序,对以iLRP为治疗靶点的单克隆药物研究以及最近兴起的CAR-T (Chimeric antigen receptor modified T cell)免疫治疗具有积极的意义。     

Preparation and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to Serotonin Binding Protein

Serotonin binding protein (SBP) is a constituent of the synaptic vesicles of serotonergic neurons. Two types of SBP, with molecular masses of 45 kDa and 56 kDa, have been purified. To determine whether there are shared epitopes between the two forms of SBP, we raised and tested for cross-reactivity monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against each form of SBP. We obtained 12 MAbs, all of which recognize both forms of SBP. Hybridoma clones were produced by fusing P3 X 63Ag8.653 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from a mouse that had been immunized with 45-kDa or 56-kDa SBP. Culture supernatants were screened for the presence of anti-SBP antibodies. MAb isotypes were determined by immunodiffusion, using immunoglobulin type-specific antisera. Each antibody to SBP consisted of only a single subclass of immunoglobulin (IgM). We obtained 12 MAbs, each of which interacted with both forms of SBP, as judged by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis. Ascites fluid to one clone (44-10) was obtained and affinity-purified. In the presence of goat anti-mouse IgM, the partially purified 44-10 antibodies quantitatively immunoprecipitated SBP from crude brain extracts. Immunoblotting revealed two major bands corresponding to 45 kDa and 56 kDa and a minor band corresponding to 68 kDa. MAb 44-10 blocked the binding of [3H]serotonin ([3H]5-HT) to 45-kDa and 56-kDa SBP in a concentration-dependent manner. The 68-kDa protein was found to bind [3H]5-HT. Sites reacting with MAB 44-10 were located immunocytochemically in sections of rat brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

抗GPNMB单克隆抗体的制备及双抗体夹心ELISA方法的建立

目的:制备抗GPNMB单克隆抗体,建立双抗体夹心ELISA检测GPNMB在胶质母细胞瘤中的表达情况.方法:以新鲜胶质母细胞瘤组织为材料,提取总RNA,通过RT-PCR扩增得到GPNMB cDNA序列,经NcoⅠ和XhoⅠ双酶切后,克隆入PET-28a(+)进行原核表达,经蛋白纯化得GPNMB-6× His融合蛋白;以该融合蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,淋巴细胞杂交瘤法制备单克隆抗体;采用Western-blot、双抗体夹心ELISA以制备所得的抗GPNMB抗体检测胶质母细胞瘤细胞系U251、U373、SHG44和星形胶质细胞系SVG12中GPNMB的表达.结果:成功构建了GPNMB原核表达载体,获得了GPNMB-6×His重组蛋白;制备得到了G203、F105和M306共3株抗GPNMB的单克隆抗体,腹水ELISA效价分别为1∶8000、1∶8000、1∶5000,抗体亚类分别为IgG2、IgG1和IgG1,进一步实验证实单克隆抗体G203和M306可用于双抗体夹心ELISA检测不同胶质细胞瘤细胞系中GPNMB的表达.结论:成功制备出抗GPNMB单克隆抗体,效价及特异性良好,并证实GPNMB在胶质母细胞瘤细胞系中高表达,为进一步研究GPNMB在胶质母细胞瘤中的作用奠定了基础.     

Monoclonal Antibodies Against Myelin Proteolipid Protein: Identification and Characterization of Two Major Determinants

This report describes the preparation and characterization of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP). A Lewis rat was immunized with bovine proteolipid apoprotein and 27 mAbs were selected based on their reactivity against bovine PLP on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Eleven mAbs recognized the PLP carboxyl-terminal sequence when tested against a panel of synthetic peptides in a solid-phase assay. A carboxyl-terminal pentapeptide (residues 272-276) was sufficient for antibody binding and the terminal phenylalanine residue was found particularly important. Deletion, modification, or replacement of this residue markedly reduced or obliterated antigen-antibody interaction. Nine mAbs reacted with a second antigenic determinant, residues 209-217, but these could be identified only by competitive immunoassays. This peptide was a more effective inhibitor than the longer peptides 202-217 and 205-221, suggesting that flanking residues may interfere with peptide-antibody interaction. Seven antibodies did not react with any of the synthetic peptides tested and their determinants remain unidentified. Immunoblot analysis showed that the mAbs reacted with both the PLP and the DM-20 isoforms. Twenty-three of the mAbs were of the immunoglobulin G2a or b isotype; the remaining antibodies were immunoglobulin M and all of these were specific for residues 209-217. Cultured murine oligodendrocytes were stained by most of the mAbs tested, but the most intense reactivity was observed with the carboxyl-terminus-specific mAbs. The immunocytochemical analyses demonstrate that the mAbs react with the native PLP in situ and show their potential usefulness for studies of the cell biology of myelin and oligodendrocytes.     

Antibodies Specific for α-Subunit Subtypes of GABAA Receptors Reveal Brain Regional Heterogeneity

Abstract: Antisera were produced in rabbits against synthetic peptides based on subtype-specific regions of the cDNA sequences of the α1, α2, α3, and α4 (also termed α5) subunits of mammalian GABA_A receptors. The antigen peptides were chosen from the putative cytoplasmic loop between the proposed third and fourth membrane spanning helices; they were not only subtype-specific sequences, but also their hydrophilicity and predicted secondary structures suggested high potential antigenicity. In all cases, antipeptide antisera recognized on western blots the corresponding α-subunit polypeptide of the GABA_A receptors purified from bovine brain by benzodiazepine-affinity chromatography, and were able to immunoprecipitate binding activity from detergent-solubilized purified receptors. The four antisera each recognized a unique polypeptide, and only one, in the purified receptor, with α1, α2, α3, and α4 identified at 51, 52, 56, and 57 kDa, respectively. This represents the first identification of the α4 gene product on a gel. Both the relative amount of staining in immunoblots and the fraction of receptor binding that could be immunoprecipitated by saturating concentrations of each of the four subtypespecific antibodies varied in a consistent manner between receptors purified from different brain regions. Thus, cerebral cortex receptor contained all four α polypeptides on western blots, and significant activity could be precipitated by all four. Hippocampal receptor lacked α3 immunoreactivity on blotting and by immunoprecipitation; α1 was less, whereas both α2 and α4 were more abundant in hippocampus than in cortex by both techniques. Cerebellum receptor contained only α1 of the four α subunits tested, and the anti-α1 antibodies immunoprecipitated >90% of the binding activity. The variable amounts of staining and immunoprecipitation from the three brain areas by the four antisera demonstrate the presence of heterooligomeric receptor complexes with different α-subunit constituents in cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. The sum of cortical receptor activity precipitated individually by the four anti-α antisera was > 150%, indicating that some heterooligomers are likely to contain more than one class of α subtype, although most receptor complexes probably contain only one α subtype. These α-subunit subtype-specific antibodies should be useful in analyzing structure, function, and localization of GABA_A/benzodiazepine receptors in mammalian brain.     

专一识别脱落酸甲酯的单克隆抗体的制备与应用

专一识别２－顺（Ｓ）ＡＢＡ甲酯的单克隆抗体来源于以ＡＢＡ分子中的１－ＣＯＯＨ为偶联位点合成的免疫原。它与游离态ＡＢＡ和结合态ＡＢＡ葡萄糖酯的交叉反应仅分别为１％与３．５％,而与ＡＢＡ类似物,如２－顺－黄质醛、紫黄质以及ＡＢＡ的２－反式异构体和（Ｒ）－对映体则无交叉反应。利用该抗体建立的高度灵敏和精确的ＡＢＡｍｅ酶联免疫测定法,其检测线性范围为０．０４８～１．５２ｐｍｏｌ。通过ＡＢＡｍｅＥＬＩＳＡ和ＧＡ１＋３ＥＬＩＳＡ分析可知羊蹄叶片衰老与内源ＧＡ１＋３／ＡＢＡ比值的下降有关。     

Preparation and Application of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Salicylic Acid (in English)

专一识别水杨酸的单克隆抗体的制备及应用 王树才^1,2李国婧¹ 夏凯¹ 徐朗莱²陈溥言³ 周燮^1*     

Analysis and Quantitation of the β-Amyloid Precursor Protein in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Alzheimer''s Disease Patients with a Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunoassay

One of the major clinical findings in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the formation of deposits of beta-amyloid protein in amyloid plaques, derived from the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP). To determine the possible use of beta-APP as a diagnostic marker for AD in CSF, a monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay specific for this protein was developed. The assay does not differentiate between beta-APP695 and beta-APP751 forms but does preferentially recognize beta-APP751 complexed with a protease. Of the two sets of CSF samples tested, one set, obtained from living patients, gave a slightly lower level of beta-APP in AD and Parkinson's disease patients relative to controls, whereas the other set, composed of postmortem samples, showed no significant differences between the AD and control groups.     

专一识别甲酯化赤霉素7，4的单克隆抗体的制备

合成Gas－3-O－HAS免疫原的同时,往往产生Gaa－7－CONH—HAS等其它成分,从而有可能通过特定的ELISA分步筛选法,在一次单抗研制流程中兼得两类针对不同Gas抗原决定簇的单克隆抗体(Mabs)。交叉反应结果表明,其中的Mab BG2对GA_7/4甲酯具有高亲和力和专一性,它与GA7me的亲和力比GA3me与GA1me分别高出100与200倍。7位羧基的甲酯化可显著增加Gas与该抗体的结合,而A环上双键或3β基的缺失,19,10－r-内酯环的破坏及D环上13位羟基的存在却严重降低Gas．与它的结合。这种高专一性的单抗将可用于高等植物和真菌体内早期非羟化途径中的GA7与GA4的免疫定量与定位研究。用该抗体建立的GA4me与GA7me ELlSAs具有极高的灵敏度,两者的检测范围分别为1．0×10^-14～1．O×1O^-13mol与2．0×10^-15～2．0×10^-13mol。     

Specific Antiserum and Monoclonal Antibodies Against the Taurine Biosynthesis Enzyme Cysteine Sulfinate Decarboxylase: Identity of Brain and Liver Enzyme

Cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase (CSD), the putative biosynthetic enzyme for taurine, was purified 1,800-fold with a 1% yield from rat liver, where it was found to be 20-fold enriched compared with brain. The final fraction was homogeneous, as ascertained through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse-phase HPLC. An antiserum was raised in the rabbit that (a) quantitatively immunoprecipitated CSD activity and (b) immunolabeled only one band (MW = 51,000) on an immunoblot from liver homogenate. Monoclonal antibodies were also raised that recognized the CSD protein and immunolabeled the same 51-kilodalton protein on an immunoblot from liver homogenate. In a brain extract, two CSD activities had been previously found and named CSDI and CSDII, according to their chromatographic elution patterns. We have compared the properties of CSDI from brain--the most likely enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of taurine in the brain, according to previous investigations-and CSD from liver: Both activities (a) were similarly eluted on ion-exchange and hydroxyapatite chromatographies, (b) showed the same elution pattern on gel filtration with an apparent native molecular weight of approximately 63,000, and (c) were immunoprecipitated in a strictly identical manner by the antiserum against liver CSD. Moreover, this antiserum as well as the monoclonal antibodies immunolabeled a single band (51 kilodaltons) on an immunoblot from brain CSD-enriched fraction or liver fraction. All these data show that CSDI from brain and liver CSD are the same monomeric enzyme. They also indicate that a specific antiserum against rat liver CSD has been raised that can be used for immunocytochemical visualization of CSD-containing cells in the brain.     

Antibodies Specific for α-N-Acetyl-β-Endorphins: Radioimmunoassays and Detection of Acetylated β-Endorphins in Pituitary Extracts

Abstract: Antibodies specific for α-N-acetyl-β-endorphins have been prepared by injecting into rabbits either α-N-acetyl-β-endorphin(1-31) or [α-N-acetyl, ε-acetyl-Lys⁹]-β-endorphin(1-9) linked by carbodiimide to bovine thyroglobulin. Both antisera were used to develop specific radioimmunoassays for α-N-acetyl-β-endorphins. The radioimmunoassays were used to measure α-N-acetylated β-endorphins in extracts of pituitary regions from different species. By comparison of the amounts of total β-endorphin and α-N-acetyl-β-endorphin immunoreactivity, a relative ratio of β-endorphin acetylation was obtained. The relative acetylation of β-endorphin was highest in rat posterior-intermediate lobe extracts (>90%). Beef and monkey intermediate lobes had a lower degree of acetylation (53 and 31%, respectively). Anterior lobe extracts from all three species contained low amounts of acetylated β-endorphin. Human pituitary extracts did not contain acetylated β-endorphins. By the use of cation exchange and high performance liquid chromatography, six different acetylated derivatives and fragments of β-endorphin were resolved in extracts of rat posterior-intermediate pituitaries. Two of these peptides corresponded to α-N-acetyl-β-endorphin(1-31) and -(1-27). One acetylated β-endorphin fragment had the same size as α-N-acetyl-β-endorphin(1-27) but was eluted earlier from the cation exchange column. This peptide had full cross-reactivity with antibodies directed against the middle and amino-terminal parts of β-endorphin. Compared with α-N-acetyl-β-endorphin(1-27), it had much less cross-reactivity with antibodies directed against the COOH-terminal part of β-endorphin, suggesting that it was a COOH-terminally modified derivative of β-endorphin(1-27). The remaining N-acetylated β-endorphin derivatives were eluted even earlier from the cation exchange column. The majority of these fragments were slightly larger in size than y-endorphin, i.e., β-endorphin(1-17), but smaller than β-endorphin(1-27). They had full cross-reactivity in an amino-terminally directed β-endorphin radioimmunoassay and a greatly diminished cross-reactivity with antibodies to the middle region of β-endorphin.     

Evidence for Specific Polypeptide Chain Folding in Myelin Basic Protein from Reactions Between Fragments of the Protein and Monoclonal Antibodies

The specificities of two monoclonal IgM antibodies (18.25 and 21.14.2) evoked in mice with guinea pig myelin basic protein were examined and interpreted in terms of a specific folding of the protein's polypeptide chain. Studies with guinea pig and rabbit myelin basic protein fragments showed that a region encompassing the central Phe-Phe (87-88) sequence is obligatory, but not sufficient, for reactivity with antibody 18.25. Appreciable reactivity was observed for rabbit peptides 22-95 and 45-151, and lower, but significant, reactivity was shown by peptide 32-95. Only very weak reactivity was seen with peptide 44-95. No reactivity was observed with peptide 1-95 after its lysine residues were acetylated, acetamidinated, or guanidinated. These results have been interpreted in terms of a polypeptide chain folding that creates an epitope within sequence Val-Val-His-Phe-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ile-Val (84-92). The specific conformation of this epitope, which includes probably the Lys-89 and possibly the Asn-90 and Val-92 side chains, could be formed by the association of sequence 84-92 with either sequence Ile-Leu-Asp-Ser-Ile-Gly-Arg-Phe-Phe (37-45) or with sequence Val-Leu-Ser-Arg-Phe (108-112) to form beta-sheet structures essentially identical with those that appear to be present in the intact BP [Martenson R.E.J. Neurochem. 46, 1612-1622 (1986)]. The second monoclonal antibody, no. 21.14.2, reacts only with guinea pig myelin basic protein and fragments containing the species-restricted sequence Arg-Ala-Asp-Tyr-Lys-Ser-Lys (129-135).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Lobster Gαs Protein Expressed in Neurons of Olfactory Organ and Brain

Abstract: We have isolated from an American lobster ( Homarus americanus ) olfactory organ cDNA library a clone, lobGα_s, with >70% identity to mammalian and arthropod Gα_s sequences. In genomic Southern blots, a fragment of lobGα_s detected only one band, suggesting the lobsters have a single Gα_s gene. In brain and olfactory organ, lobGα_s mRNA was expressed predominantly in neurons, including many of the neuronal cell body clusters of the brain. Gα_s protein was also expressed broadly, appearing on western blots as a band of 51.8 kDa in brain, eyestalk, pereiopod, dactyl, tail muscle, olfactory organ, and aesthetasc hairs. These results suggest that lobGα_s plays a role in a wide variety of signal transduction events. Its presence in the olfactory aesthetasc hairs, which are almost pure preparations of the outer dendrites of the olfactory receptor neurons, and the expression of lobGα_s mRNA in the olfactory receptor neurons of the olfactory organ indicate that lobGα_s may mediate olfactory transduction. That virtually all ORNs express lobGα_s mRNA equally predicts that hyperpolarizing odor responses mediated by cyclic AMP are a property of all lobster olfactory receptor neurons.     

Pertussis Toxin-Sensitive G Protein α-Subunits: Production of Monoclonal Antibodies and Detection of Differential Increases on Differentiation of PC12 and LA-N-5 Cells

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies were produced that are specific for the three major pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein α-subunits present in mammalian brain—αo, αi1, and αi2—using purified bovine brain G proteins, purified rat brain G proteins, and purified recombinant αi2, respectively. These monoclonal antibodies were used to monitor changes in the concentrations of the three G protein α-subunits during differentiation of PC12 cells and human neuroblastoma LA-N-5 cells. In PC12 cells, levels of αi1 but not αi2 increased during nerve growth factor-induced differentiation. In contrast, αi2 but not αi1 increased when LA-N-5 cells were differentiated with retinoic acid. The concentration of αo increased in both cell lines during differentiation. Electrophoretic resolution of αo subtypes revealed that although αo2 was the major subtype in undifferentiated cells, only the concentration of αo1 increased during differentiation of both PC12 and LA-N-5 cells. The level of 43-kDa growth-associated protein, a protein known to associate with αo, increased similarly to that of αo1. ADP-ribosylation of αo, αi1, and αi2 with pertussis toxin did not alter the reactivities of the monoclonal antibodies, but toxin treatment of cells reduced the concentrations of each protein after 24 h. There was no change in the concentration of αq, which is not ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin. Thus, these new monoclonal antibodies enabled the detection of differential increases in subtypes of αi and αo associated with neuronal differentiation.     

Polyclonal Antibodies Directed Against an Epitope Specific for the α4-Subunit of GABAA Receptors Identify a 67-kDa Protein in Rat Brain Membranes

Abstract: Polyclonal antibodies were raised to the C-terminal part of the γ-aminobutyric acid_A (GABA_A) receptor α4-subunit. These anti-peptide α4 (517–523) antibodies specifically identified a protein with apparent molecular mass 67 kDa in rat brain membranes. This protein was enriched by immunoaffinity chromatography of brain membrane extracts on Affigel 10 coupled to the anti-peptide α4 (517–523) antibodies and could then be identified by the anti-α4-antibodies as well as by the GABA_A receptor subunit-specific monoclonal antibody bd-28. This appears to indicate that the 67-kDa protein is the α4-subunit of GABA_A receptors. Intact GABA_A receptors appeared to be retained by the immunoaffinity column because other GABA_A receptor subunit proteins like the β2/β3-subunits and the γ2-subunit were detected in the immunoaffinity column eluate. Furthermore, in addition to the 67-kDa protein, a 51-kDa protein could be detected by the antibody bd-28 and the anti-peptide α4 (517–523) antibody in the immunoaffinity column eluate. A protein with similar apparent molecular mass was identified by the α1-subunit-specific anti-peptide α1 (1–9) antibody. In contrast to the α1-subunit, the 51-kDa protein identified by the anti-α4 antibody could not be deglycosylated by N -Glycanase. The identity of the 51-kDa protein identified by the anti-α4-antibodies thus must be further investigated.     

Quantitation and Visualization of Ultraviolet‐Induced DNA Damage Using Specific Antibodies: Application to Pigment Cell Biology

The major types of DNA damage induced by sunlight in the skin are DNA photoproducts, such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), (6‐4)photoproducts (6‐4PPs) and Dewar isomers of 6‐4PPs. A sensitive method for quantitating and visualizing each type of DNA photoproduct induced by biologically relevant doses of ultraviolet (UV) or sunlight is essential to characterize DNA photoproducts and their biological effects. We have established monoclonal antibodies specific for CPDs, 6‐4PPs or Dewar isomers. Those antibodies allow one to quantitate photoproducts in DNA purified from cultured cells or from the skin epidermis using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. One can also use those specific antibodies with in situ laser cytometry to visualize and measure DNA photoproducts in cultured cells or in the skin, using indirect immunofluorescence and a laser‐scanning confocal microscope. This latter method allows us to reconstruct three‐dimensional images of nuclei containing DNA photoproducts and to simultaneously examine DNA photoproducts and histology in multilayered epidermis. Using those techniques, one can determine the induction and repair of these three distinct types of DNA photoproducts in cultured cells and in the skin exposed to sublethal or suberythematous doses of UV or solar simulated radiation. As examples of the utility of these techniques and antibodies, we describe the DNA repair kinetics following irradiation of human cell nuclei and the photoprotective effect of melanin against DNA photoproducts in cultured pigmented cells and in human epidermis.     

Highly Sensitive Immunoassay for the α Subunit of the GTP-Binding Protein Go and Its Regional Distribution in Bovine Brain

Antisera were raised in rabbits against the alpha subunit of a GTP-binding protein, Go. Because the antisera cross-reacted weakly with the alpha subunit of inhibitory GTP-binding protein of adenylate cyclase (Gi), they were purified with a Go alpha-coupled Sepharose column. Purified antibodies reacted only with Go alpha and did not cross-react with the Gi alpha subunit or beta gamma subunits in an immunoblot assay. Using these purified antibodies, a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay method for the quantification of bovine brain Go alpha was developed. The assay system consisted of polystyrene balls with immobilized antibody F(ab')2 fragments and the same antibody Fab' fragments labeled with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli. The minimal detection limit of the assay was 0.1 fmol, or 4 pg. The assay was specific for Go alpha, and it did not cross-react with Gi alpha or beta gamma. Samples from various regions of bovine brain were solubilized with 2% sodium cholate and 1 M NaCl, and the concentrations of Go alpha were determined. Go alpha was detected in all the regions, and the highest concentration was observed in the cerebral cortex. The immunohistochemical study showed that the neuropil was rich in Go alpha.     

Monoclonal antibody against a cell wall marker protein for embryogenic potential of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dactylis glomerata</Emphasis> L. suspension cultures

We identified and isolated a monoclonal antibody (MAb 3G2) raised against extracellular proteins from microcluster cells of orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) embryogenic suspension culture. MAb 3G2 recognized with high specificity an antigen ionically bound within the primary cell wall and in the culture medium of microcluster cells. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel analysis and blotting of proteins on PVDF membrane showed that MAb 3G2 detected a single polypeptide of apparent molecular mass of 48 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.2, designated EP48. A transient expression during somatic embryogenesis was observed for EP48. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that this protein highly accumulated in the cell walls of some single cells, microclusters and partly in proembryogenic masses (PEMs), but not in globular embryos of the embryogenic cell line and microclusters from the non-embryogenic cell line. Signal intensity varied between individual cells of the same population and in successive stages of somatic embryo development. Screening of several D. glomerata L. embryogenic and non-embryogenic cell lines with MAb 3G2 indicated the presence of ECP48 in only embryogenic suspension cultures at early stages of embryo development long before morphological changes have taken place and thus it could serve as an early marker for embryogenic potential in D. glomerata L. suspension cultures.     

Axolinin Localization in the Nervous Tissue of Squid Revealed by Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Axolinin: Cellular and Subcellular Localization of Axolinin in the Squid Neuron

Cellular and subcellular distributions of axolinin, the 260-kilodalton (kD) microtubule-associated glycoprotein originally purified from squid axons, in various squid tissues such as optical lobes, bundles of small nerve fibers (fin nerves), giant stellate ganglia, skin, muscle, liver, and gill, were immunologically studied using monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing the polypeptide chain of axolinin. The following results were obtained: (1) Axolinin is confined to squid neurons and skin; (2) axolinin is localized in the axon whereas another 260-kD microtubule-associated protein, MAP B, is localized in the cell bodies; and (3) axolinin is localized mainly in the peripheral part of the axoplasm of the squid giant axon. The last result has confirmed our previous conclusion obtained using polyclonal antisera against axolinin, which contain antibodies recognizing not only axolinin-specific epitopes but also nonspecific epitopes. The physiological importance of the localization of axolinin in axons and the skin is discussed based on its possible relationship to excitability function.