title: Epitope mapping of the alpha-toxin of Clostridium perfringens.
abstract: A panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for the Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin was produced by the fusion of X63.Ag8-653 cells with splenocytes from mice immunized either intrasplenically or intraperitoneally with an alpha-toxoid. The toxin-binding activity of each monoclonal antibody was evaluated. The monoclonal antibodies were also screened for their toxin-neutralizing potential in vitro, as determined by the inhibition of phospholipase C and hemolytic activities. In vivo inhibition of toxicity was assessed by the survival of mice challenged with preincubated alpha-toxin-antibody mixtures. Only one monoclonal antibody (3A4D10) was protective in vivo and neutralizing in both in vitro assays. Since 3A4D10 could inhibit both activities, the evidence suggests that these are colocated in the same area of the toxin molecule. This paper identifies a significant continuous linear binding region for 3A4D10 at positions 193 to 198 in the primary amino acid sequence of alpha-toxin.
authors.affiliation: Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Titball
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Percival
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Shuttleworth
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Conlan
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000276:immunology*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010738:Type C Phospholipases
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D010738:Type C Phospholipases; C040649:alpha toxin, Clostridium perfringens