Reactivity and isotype profiling of monoclonal antibodies using multiple antigenic peptides

Generation and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibody 5E1 against human transcription factor GLI3

GLI3 is a transcriptional effector of the developmentally important hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Here we report the production of mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) against putative repressive motif in GLI3 (GLI3pRM). BALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant human GLI3pRM protein; the splenocytes from these mice were fused with myeloma cell line (SP2/0) by using standard hybridoma production techniques. Resulting hybridomas producing anti-GLI3pRM antibodies were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and isotyped. The specificity of MAb 5E1 was determined based on its activity in Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis of human NT2/D1 cell line. The results showed that MAb 5E1 was immunoglobulin IgM/ê and it recognized recombinant human GLI3pRM specifically. In addition, MAb 5E1 bound to the full-length (FL-GLI3) as well as a short protein (GLI3R) and did not cross-react with a similar region in GLI2. MAb 5E1 could also be used to detect the expression of GLI3 in mouse cell lines and embryonic tissues.

Generation and Characterization of Mouse Monoclonal Antibody 5E1 Against Human Transcription Factor GLI3

GLI3 is a transcriptional effector of the developmentally important hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Here we report the production of mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) against putative repressive motif in GLI3 (GLI3pRM). BALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant human GLI3pRM protein, and the splenocytes from these mice were fused with myeloma cell line (SP2/0) by using standard hybridoma production techniques. Resulting hybridomas producing anti-GLI3pRM antibodies were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and isotyped. The specificity of MAb 5E1 was determined based on its activity in Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses of the human NT2/D1 cell line. The results showed that MAb 5E1 was immunoglobulin IgM/kappa, recognizing recombinant human GLI3pRM specifically. In addition, MAb 5E1 bound to the full-length (FL-GLI3) as well as a short protein (GLI3R) and did not cross-react with a similar region in GLI2. MAb 5E1 could also be used to detect the expression of Gli3 in mouse cell lines and embryonic tissues.

Characterization of Anti-Myosin Monoclonal Antibodies

The characterization of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with regard to reactivity and specificity is important for the successful application as a molecular probe and/or diagnostic reagent. Furthermore, it is recognized that some monoclonal reagents perform well in some assay systems but not others. In this study, the reactivity profiles of two anti-myosin MAbs (H1 and DH2, raised against human cardiac myosin) were evaluated in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), slot-blotting, and immunocytochemistry. Both antibodies performed well in slot-blotting against myosin heavy chain preparations from cardiac and skeletal muscle and from non-human sources. In general, MAb H1 demonstrated strong to moderate reactivity in all assay systems, whilst MAb DH2 faired poorly in ELISA. MAb H1 also showed reactivity to synthetic peptides of myosin, one of which possessed a motif (ERRDA, single amino acid code) that was found in other human and nonhuman myosin protein sequences that could explain its cross-reactive profile. Intriguingly, this motif was found on viral and other pathogenic agents associated with myocarditis. Hence, it is speculated that this region could give some credence to the mechanism of molecular mimicry associated with some cardiac diseases. Overall, MAb H1 may serve as a useful probe of myosin structure.

Peptide dendrimers

Dendrimers are branched structures and represent a fast growing field covering many areas of chemistry. Various types of dendrimers differing in composition and structure are mentioned, together with their practical use spanning from catalysis, transport vehicles to synthetic vaccines. The main stress is given to peptide dendrimers, namely, multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs). Their synthesis, physicochemical properties, biological activities, etc. have been described with many examples. MAPs can be used as diagnostics, mimetics, for complexation of different cations, as vaccines against parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc.