PRODUCTION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES TO POTATO-VIRUS Y-NTN STRAIN AND THEIR USE FOR STRAIN DIFFERENTIATION

Four mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against potato virus Y (PVY) w ere produced. MAb 4C1 reacted with four isolates of PVYNTN and only ve ry weakly with one isolate of the necrotic strain of PVY (PVYN). It di d not react with other isolates of the ordinary strain of PVY tested. MAb 2C9 reacted with all isolates tested and can be used to produce a specific diagnostic kit for routine PW detection. Other MAbs had diffe rent specificities and reacted with isolates of various strains of PVY . MAbs did not react with seven other members of the Potyvirus group i ncluding potato virus A. A MAb-based ELISA, using MAb 4C1, was devised and shown to detect PVYNTN specifically.