PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST TAL1ONCOPROTEIN

TAL1 (or SCL) oncogene functions as a transcription regulatory factor that is necessary for the early development of all hematopoietic linea ges. aberrant expression of Tal1 protein in T cells is the cause of T- cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in children. We generated tw o hybridomas that secreted monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) that reacted s trongly with GST-TAL(1-210) but not with GST fusion protein in ELISA a ssay, These two MAbs, TWN3 and TWN60, recognized TAL1 oncoprotein expr essed in transfected COS-1 cells by Western blotting. In addition, bot h MAbs were also effective in detecting TAL1 oncoprotein in leukemic c ells by immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry. Therefore, they s hould be useful in the studies of Tal1 protein functions in both hemat opoietic development and oncogenesis.