Production and Purification of Antibody to Bovine White Matter Proteolipid Apoprotein

Abstract

Circulating antibody to the bovine white matter proteolipid apoprotein was detected in rabbits 1 mo. after a single injection of the watersoluble form of the apoprotein. By double immunodiffusion, the antiserum reacted specifically with the delipidated proteolipid apoprotein and the crude proteolipid fraction containing complex lipids; after exposure of the proteolipid apoprotein to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), no reactivity was observed. The antiserum did not react with other myelin components, i.e., basic protein, cerebroside or GM1 ganglioside or with non-neural proteolipids. The anti-apoprotein antibody was purified by affinity chromatography. The antibody-antigen interaction was apparently very hydrophobic, since elution of the antibody from the affinity column required buffer containing 0.5% Triton X-100-4 M-urea.