Distinct epitopes on amiloride. II. Variably restricted epitopes defined by monoclonal anti-amiloride antibodies.

Specific regions of amiloride appear to participate in binding to receptors on amiloride-sensitive transport proteins. Previous studies characterizing epitopes on amiloride recognized by anti-amiloride antibodies have demonstrated that antibodies recognize specific domains on amiloride and that these epitopes are determined, in part, by the site on amiloride used to couple to carrier protein. The 3,5-diaminopyrazinyl and guanidinocarbonyl moieties were identified as distinct epitopes. Since Na(+)-selective transport proteins are sensitive to changes of the halide on the amiloride molecule, additional monoclonal anti-amiloride antibodies were raised to determine whether the C-6 halo group of amiloride could be identified as an important site for drug-antibody binding. The epitopes recognized by a series of three monoclonal antibodies raised against amiloride coupled to rabbit serum albumin through its C-5 NH2-group were defined. Two antibodies recognize extensive regions on the amiloride molecule, including both the acylguanidino and pyrazinyl groups. In addition, both antibodies are sensitive to changes in the C-6 halo group on amiloride. A third antibody was relatively insensitive to changes in the halide in the C-6 position of the pyrazine ring of amiloride and recognized a more restricted epitope on amiloride.