ROOSTER COMB AND WATTLE TISSUES CONTAIN AN ANTI-KERATAN SULFATE MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY EPITOPE

Glycosaminoglycan fractions isolated from either comb or wattle tissue were examined using ELISA for their antigenicities to AH12 a monoclon al antibody recognizing keratan sulfate. The results showed a positive antibody binding to a sulfated glycosaminoglycan fraction from either tissue. The treatment of the same fraction with keratan sulfate degra ding enzyme, keratanase, or endo-beta-galactosidase resulted in a decr ease in its antigenicity. These findings indicated the presence of AH1 2 epitope (keratan sulfate disaccharide) in both tissues.