Monoclonal antibodies to a higher-plant nitrate reductase: Differential inhibition of enzyme activities.

A set of monoclonal antibodies has been raised against NADH-nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.6.6.1) from spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) leaves. Antibodies were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by their ability to inhibit various activities of the enzyme. The six monoclonals selected (AFRC MAC 74 to 79) are all gamma globulins; four (MAC 74 to 77) inhibit all terminal donating activities (NADH-NR; flavin mononucleotide, reduced form (FMNH2)-NR; and methyl viologen, reduced form (MV)-NR) and two (MAC 78 and 79) inhibit the acceptor activities (NADH-NR, and NADH-cytochrome c reductase). MAC 74 to 77 inhibit the NADH-NR activity of crude extracts of a variety of species (mono- and dicotyledoneae) while MAC 78 and 79 are effective against spinach and marrow, but not oil-seed rape, cucumber, oats, wheat and barley.