GENERATION OF POLY-CLONAL AND MONO-CLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST TROUT FIBRONECTIN (FN) AND THEIR USE IN FN IMMUNODETECTION IN TELEOST FISHES

Immunization of rats with gelatin-affinity column purified fibronectin (FN) from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) plasma produced a polyc lonal antiserum that reacts specifically with FN in immunoblotted prot ein extracts and cultured cells, not only from trout but also from swo rdtails (Xiphophorus helleri). Most importantly, this antiserum specif ically stains FN-containing structures in sections from embryos, as we ll as skin and dorsal fin of swordtails and platyfish (Xiphophorus mac ulatus), allowing, e.g., correlation of the distribution of FN with ne ural crest cell development in Xiphophorus. The antiserum also cross-r eacts with FN in sections from embroys of the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). In addition to the p olyclonal antibodies, monoclonal anti-trout FN antibodies were produce d in rats. These did not exhibit reactivity on sections, but stained t he cultured fish cells and FN in immunoblots. Both types of antibodies may be of interest to the fish industry for marking the level of FN a s an indicator, not only for infectious diseases but also for certain developmental stages such as smoltification and spawning.