PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST THE RIBOSOME-INACTIVATING PROTEIN PAP FROM PHYTOLACCA-AMERICANA

Monoclonal antibodies specific to pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), were obtained after six unsuccess ful fusions. A special procedure including injections of low doses of purified PAP from spring leaves in a short period was adopted, Some cl ones highly specific to PAP react with recombinant PAP, One clone cros s-reacts with PAP-S isolated from seeds but none cross-reacts with the isoform PAP II isolated from summer leaves, These antibodies represen t a useful tool to investigate the mechanisms of PAP biosynthesis and plant protection involving RIPs.