Isolation and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Monospecific for Bovine α-Casein and β-Casein

Abstract

Two monoclonal antibodies monospecific for bovine αs1-casein, which recognize three genetic variants of αs1-casein, have been isolated and their binding properties characterized. Antibodies 57-115 and 57-310 recognize different antigenic determinants on the αs1 protein with affinity constants of 1.63 x 1011 and 2.13 x 1011 M–1, respectively. Five monoclonal antibodies, 58-409, 58-416, 58-488, 58-504, and 58-557, monospecific for bovine β-casein with affinity constants >109 M–1, which recognize a similar epitope(s) also were isolated. All seven antibodies are of isotype IgG1 and recognize both the denatured and undenatured forms of their antigen, making them suitable for qualitative and quantitative radioimmunoassay. © 1991, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.