USE OF THE PHAGE DISPLAY TECHNIQUE FOR DETECTION OF EPITOPES RECOGNIZED BY POLYCLONAL RABBIT GLIADIN ANTIBODIES

A random phage heptapeptide library aas screened with rabbit antibodie s against wheat flour proteins comprising gliadins and a small amount of low molecular weight glutenins (gli/glu), Gli/glu antibodies isolat ed from the sera selected different consensus sequences (CS). All CS c ontained tri- to pentapeptide stretches homologous to gli/glu sequence s (proposed epitopes). In alpha- and gamma-type gliadins, these sequen ces are clustered in the IV-terminal region recently suspected to be t oxic for humans with celiac disease. Peptides with CS were synthesized and checked for reactivity. Only immune and no control rabbit sera re acted with synthetic peptides, One of eight human sera containing glia din antibodies mas reactive as well (4/8 peptides) but control sera me re negative. Thus the phage display technique is useful for epitope sc reening of polyclonal antibodies even in the case of a group of homolo gous but diverse antigens. (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.