Catalytic polyclonal antibodies.
The production and characterization of rabbit polyclonal antibodies that catalyze the hydrolysis of trityl protecting groups is described. The catalytic activity increased throughout the immunization regimen, exhibiting a later and steeper rise than the simple hapten-specific antibody titer. The catalytic polyclonal antibodies displayed saturation behavior, consistent with classic Michaelis-Menton kinetics. An apparent catalytic rate enhancement (kcat/kuncat) of 125 and a Km of 31 microM were measured for the polyclonal sample. Inhibition studies indicated that 12% of the antibodies either binds the hapten or is a catalyst. Analyzing polyclonal antibodies for catalytic activity is proposed as a substantially faster, more cost effective and more general way to screen new hapten designs for their relative abilities to produce antibodies with catalytic activity.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
D B
DB
Stephens
B L
BL
Iverson
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism*; D002384:Catalysis; D006241:Haptens / Q000494:pharmacology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007700:Kinetics; D011817:Rabbits / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D006241:Haptens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents