Type-specific binding antibody to baboon endogenous virus (M7) reverse transcriptase.

A type-specific binding antibody to the baboon endogenous virus, M7, reverse transcriptase was developed and characterized using a double antibody immunoprecipitation assay. This assay allows the analysis of non-enzyme neutralizing binding antibody, as well as the detection of early antibody production before high titre enzyme neutralizing antibodies appear. The antibody described is unique among hyperimmune antisera to DNA polymerases in that it recognizes only type-specific determinants on the enzyme molecule. Analysis of the enzymes of several BaEV isolates indicated a grouping of those from Papio cynocephalus, P. anubis and the HL23VBab isolate. The RD-114 enzyme was in a separate class, and the P. papio and P. hamadryas DNA polymerases were distinguished from all the other BaEV enzymes but not from each other.