Isolation of Monoclonal Antibodies Monospecific for Bovine α-Lactalbumin

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies were generated against purified bovine beta-lactoglobulin A. Six antibodies reactive only with beta-lactoglobulin were selected. At least one of the antibodies appeared to be species monospecific for bovine beta-lactoglobulin. The remaining five antibodies recognized proteins in caprine and porcine whey fractions. One monoclonal antibody (59-1) exhibited a distinct 2:1 preference for beta-lactoglobulin B over A at near neutral pH (7.5). These antibodies should prove extremely useful adjuncts in structural studies of bovine beta-lactoglobulin.