Abstract: | ![]() Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the myelin basic protein (MBP) were produced in CAF1 (BALB/c x A/J) mice immunized with intact bovine MBP. A number of MAbs were obtained, one of which was characterized in detail with respect to its isotype, antigenic determinant on the MBP, the spectrum of antigens with which it reacted in mouse brain, and its immunohistochemical staining characteristics. This monoclonal, GB-1 (an IgG1), recognized an epitope within residues 30-51 of bovine MBP. It also reacted with a family of MBP-related proteins present in brain homogenates of mice from 7-35 days. Immunohistochemically, GB-1 stained myelinated fibers and oligodendrocytes in the rodent CNS. A second monoclonal (GB-2, and IgM) was partially characterized. It reacted with intact MBP when it was immobilized to plastic or nitrocellulose, but it was not found to be useful for immunoblots or immunohistochemistry. |