Preparation of monoclonal antibodies specific for methyl esters of gibberellins A7 and A4.

According to the heterogeneity of the immunogen of GA3-3-O-HSA, which contained other components such as GA3-7-CONH-HSA, two kinds of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against different antigen determinants of GA3 were prepared in a single process using a two-step screening assay for hybridomas. The results from a cross-reactivity experiment showed that MAb BG2 was specific for GA7/4 methyl esters (GA7/4me) with high affinity. Its affinity for GA7me was over 100 and 200 times higher than for GA3me and GA1me, respectively. Methylation of the 7-oic acid significantly increased the binding of MAb BG2 with GAs. On the contrary, the absence of a double bond or 3beta-OH in ring A and the breakdown of 19,10-gamma-lactone as well as the presence of 13-OH in ring D greatly reduced the binding of MAb BG2 with GAs. This antibody with high specificity can be used effectively to quantify and localize the main active GA7 and GA4 from the early non-hydroxylation pathway of GAs metabolism. Using this antibody, enzyme immunoassays with high sensitivity were developed which displayed linear ranges from 1.0 x 10(-14) to 1.0 x 10(-12) mol for GA4me and from 2.0 x 10(-15) to 2.0 x 10(-13) mol for GA7me.