Characterization of a monoclonal antibody to bovine xanthine oxidase.

The isolation of a hybridoma cell line, C-41, secreting monoclonal antibody to bovine xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2), is described. The specificity of this antibody was determined by solid-phase immunoassay, immunoblotting procedures, affinity chromatography, immunoelectrophoresis and precipitation techniques. The results are compared with those obtained in similar specificity studies on a previously described monoclonal antibody secreted by hybridoma cell line A-94 [Mather, Nace, Johnson & Goldsby (1980) Biochem. J. 188, 925-928]. This latter antibody appears to bind to xanthine oxidase only when the enzyme is immobilized on a solid support such as a plastic plate or nitrocellulose paper. Potential problems in the determination of the specificity of monoclonal antibodies, especially towards membrane proteins of unknown biological activity, are discussed.