Electron microscopic observation of potato virus a using murine monoclonalantibodies

Six monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against potato virus A (PVA) were prepare d and used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblot analysi s and electron microscopic study of the virus. Four MoAbs, 151, 290, 328 an d 634, reacted with purified virus preparation in dot blot test and showed strong reaction also with virus coat protein (CP) denatured by sodium dodec yl sulphate (SDS), while two MoAbs, 534 and 187, gave significantly weaker reaction with denatured CP than with purified virus. On electron micrograph s, MoAb 534 effected binding only on few separate locations of the virus su rface after prolonged storage. We presume that this MoAb recognized a confo rmation-dependent epitope.