Monoclonal antibodies against haemocyte molecules of Penaeus monodon shrimp react with haemolymph components of other crustaceans and disparate taxa

In a previous study, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different haemoly mph molecules of the marine shrimp Penaeus monodon were produced and charac terised, It was suggested that these mAbs could be used in studying haemocy te differentiation, behaviour and function in P. monodon. In the present st udy, the reaction of these mAbs on P. monodon was compared with other crust aceans and disparate taxa. The mAbs also reacted with haemolymph components of three freshwater crustaceans, a terrestrial isopod crustacean and with coelomic fluid of an annelid. No reactions were observed with haemolymph of an insect and a mollusc, nor with blood cells of two vertebrates. This com parative study shows reactivity of the mAbs with a wide range of crustacean s and related animals and suggests that well conserved molecules are recogn ised, which may indicate functional importance. Well-described mAbs can be used in studies of the crustacean defence system and may finally result in a better insight into this system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.