MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST ANTIGENS EXPOSED ON THE SURFACE OF VEGETATIVE FORMS AND SPORES OF MYXOCOCCUS-VIRESCENS

Twelve monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against cell-surface anti gens of Myxococcus virescens cells were developed and partially charac terized. All of them recognized multiple, diffuse proteic bands in Wes tern blot and four were also reactive to living bacteria, as assessed by flow cytometry. The four latter mAbs recognized antigens common to a number of vegetative forms and spores. The selective expression of p roteins recognized by mAbs on the microorganisms and the possible appl ications of mAbs to the study of myxobacterial cell interaction are di scussed.