Antigenic differences among cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) isolate
s were clearly reflected in signature analysis employing a panel of se
ven well-characterized, monoclonal antibodies. Separate binding curves
were generated by reacting serial dilutions of extracts from infected
plant tissue containing each antigen simultaneously with each antibod
y in the panel. An iterative procedure was used to align unknown CPSMV
antigen concentrations from different antigen preparations to allow c
omparison of binding profiles from different assays. Signature analysi
s was shown to be highly useful for the elucidation of subtle antigeni
c differences among viral agents because it requires neither purified
virus nor knowledge of virus concentration in sap from infected plants
.