Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to human casein. A monoclonal antibody that cross-reacts with casein and alpha-lactalbumin.

Four hybridomas have been produced that secrete monoclonal antibodies to human beta-casein, a protein synthesized by fully differentiated breast epithelial cells. The antibodies have been characterized on immunoblots and have been shown to react with methanol: acetone-fixed sections of human lactating mammary gland. Immunoblots show that three of these antibodies react with casein whereas one, F20.10, also recognizes an epitope present on human alpha-lactalbumin. Computer analysis of the amino acid sequences of these two milk proteins reveals very little sequence homology, leading to the conclusion that the three-dimensional shape, rather than the primary sequence, is important in this cross-reactivity.