Antibodies against synthetic fragments of the prion protein for diagnostics of bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Seven peptides matching fragments of the prion protein and containing from 17 to 31 amino acid residues were synthesized to obtain antibodies for diag nostics of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Rabbits were immunized with ei ther free peptides or peptide-protein conjugates to result in sera with a h igh level of antipeptide antibodies. Immunohistochemical assay revealed ser a against four free peptides and a protein-peptide conjugate, which effecti vely bind to the pathogenic isoform of the prion protein in brain tissue pr eparations from cattle afflicted with bovine spongiform encephalopathy and do not interact with normal brain preparations. The resulting antipeptide s era can be used in developing a diagnostic kit for bovine spongiform enceph alopathy.