title: Monoclonal antibodies at the electron microscopical level.
abstract: The ability to monitor cellular events and to identify, morphologically, sub-cellular components involved in particular processes has greatly advanced since the advent of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and their use in electron immunocytochemistry. For instance, using simultaneous monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (to proteins and enzymes capable of monitoring intracellular pH) on specially prepared tissue it is now possible to visualize intracellular pathways involved in protein synthesis. The demonstration of coexistence of several substances (e.g., active peptides) in a single cell has been greatly aided by the use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in combination. For light microscopical studies different reaction products are revealed by the use of differently coloured chromogens. For electron microscopy, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are labelled with gold particles of different sizes and are used on ultrathin sections (the on-grid immunolabelling or post-embedding method). Low numbers of binding sites on cellular membranes can now be visualised at the electron microscopical level by the use of specific MAbs to receptors or by the construction of divalent forms of antigens that can react with the receptor and subsequently to a MAb. Again, the reaction is revealed by gold labelling procedures.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006728:Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006728:Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface