Differences in antigenic reactivity of six types of phycoerythrin to monoclonal anti-R-phycoerythrin

Abstract

Phycoerythrins from the red algae (Rhodophyta) Corallina officinalis Linnaeus, Gracilaria bursapastoris (S.G. Gmelin) Silva, Gracilaria muitipartita (Clemente) Harvey, Gracilaria verrucosa (Hud-son) Papenfuss, Porphyra purpurea (Roth) C. Agardh, Porphyridium purpureum (Bory) Drew et Ross, Rhodosorus marinus Geitler, and species of Synechococcus (Cyanophyta) and Chroomonas (Cryptophyta) were tested for antigenic reactivity to monoclonal anti-R-phycoerythrin using Western blotting for qualitative and elisa for quantitative assessment. Similarities in reaction were found between phycoerythrins from Gracilaria bursapastoris and G. multipartita, while G. verrucosa differed slightly. Phycoerythrin from Porphyridium purpureum and Porphyra purpurea exhibited similar antigenic reactions, and differed from that of Rhodosorus marinus. A very strong reaction to the antibody occurred with phycoerythrin from the Chroomonas species, while C-phycoerythrin from the Synechococcus species showed almost no reaction, suggesting that the Rhodophyta and Cryptophytahave a similar antigenic determinant that is not shared by the Cyanophyta. Using a monoclonal antibody, the elisa is shown to be a fast and easy method for demonstrating antigenic differences between algae.