GENERATION OF POLYCLONAL ANTIBODIES AGAINST A CHEMICALLY SYNTHESIZED N-TERMINAL FRAGMENT OF THE BACTERIOCIN PEDIOCIN PA-1

Six mice were immunized intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a chemically syn thesized 9-mer fragment (PH1) designed from the N-terminal part of the bacteriocin pediocin PA-1 and conjugated to keyhole limpet haemocyani n (KLH). After three doses of the immunogen had been administered, ser um-specific antibodies were detected by a competitive direct ELISA. My eloma cells were injected i.p. into mice in order to obtain ascites po ly clonal antibodies, Although four mice developed ascites, only mouse 2 had detectable specific antibodies in the ascites fluid. The serum and ascites antibodies were specific for PH1 but they did not recogniz e the whole pediocin PA-1 molecule. This is the first attempt to gener ate antibodies against bacteriocins with a chemically synthesized olig opeptide as immunogen. This approach still remains attractive for dete ction, quantification, mode of action studies and purification of bact eriocins, especially those for which the purification process is diffi cult or inefficient at present.