Monoclonal antibodies showing sequence specificity in their interaction with single-stranded DNAs

Abstract

Six hybridoma cell lines which secrete monoclonal antibodies binding to nucleic acids were produced from autoimmune NZB/NZW mice. Four of the antibodies were IgG's and the other two were IgM's. Using a solid phase radioimmunoassay (SPRIA) the binding of the antibodies to over thirty different nucleic acids was estimated. All the antibodies were extremely specific. There was no detectable interaction with various RNAs, and single-stranded DNAs bound more antibodies than duplex or multi-stranded DNAs. In every case the antibodies also showed considerable sequence preferences. For example one monoclonal antibody bound to d(TTC)n but not to d(TCC)n while another interacted strongly with D(TG)n and d(CA)n but not with d(TC)n, d(GA)n or homopolymers. In other cases the patterns of sequence specificity were extremely difficult to interpret although it seems clear that monoclonal antibodies have the potential to distinguish between any two nucleic acids however similar.