USE OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF GROWTH-CONTROLLINGNEUROPEPTIDES IN THE MUSSEL MYTILUS-EDULIS (MOLLUSCA, BIVALVIA)

Monoclonal antibodies were developed against cerebral ganglia (CG) of the mussel Mytilus edulis by the immunization of mice with unpurified homogenates of these organs. Tbe screening protocol of hybridoma was b ased upon immunohistological observations of cytocentrifugated ganglia cells. A panel of 29 monoclonal antibodies (MABs) specific of CG epit opes was harvested and subsequently used for the immunocytochemical st udy of CG cells. Several subpopulations of ganglia cells were specific ally revealed by MABs. Identification of epitopes involved in growth c ontrol was approached via the application of a bioassay allowing the a ssessment of protein synthesis stimulation. MAB 42 and 46 affected ami no acid incorporation induced by CG extract. These results lead to the conclusion that the epitopes recognised by these antibodies are invol ved in growth control. An immunoenzymatic assay was performed with CG extracts for quantitative analyses of epitopes.