Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to Human Casein. A Monoclonal Antibody That Cross-Reacts With Casein and α-Lactalbumin

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Abstract
Four hybridomas have been produced that secrete monoclonal antibodies to human β-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 α-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.