PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO PLUM POX VIRUS AND THEIR USE IN DIFFERENTIATION OF MEDITERRANEAN ISOLATES

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to plum pox virus (PPV) were pre pared by fusing myeloma cell lines to spleen cells of mice immunized w ith purified virus, including virus prepared with protease inhibitors to preserve the integrity of the coat protein (CP). The characterized MAbs could be used in ELISA to differentiate several Mediterranean PPV isolates differing in their geographical origin and CP size. At least seven antigenic sites could be established based on the recognition p attern and competition binding analysis, and the epitopes could be cla ssified in three groups by Western blot analysis of intact and trypsin digested virus particles. By means of electron microscopy the epitope s could be seen to be located on the surface of the virus particles.