Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Flavescence dorée phytoplasma: Serological relationships and differences in electroblot immunoassay profiles of Flavescence dorée and elm yellows phytoplasmas

Abstract

Eleven stable hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for FD-phytoplasma, the pathogenic agent of grapevine Flavescence doree, were produced by fusing a non-secreting myeloma cell line with spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with Flavescence doree phytoplasma purified by immunoaffinity. These monoclonal antibodies were characterized for their recognition of phytoplasma proteins by western blot. Six of eleven reacted specifically in ELISA and immunoblotting with Elm-yellows phytoplasma. These antibodies did not react either in ELISA or in western blot with preparations from periwinkles infected with phytoplasmas that cause GYU (Grapevine Yellows from Udine), AP (Apple Proliferation), EAY (European Aster Yellows) and StolC (Stolbur from France). Two of these hybridoma lines were used routinely for the immunodiagnosis of Flavescence doree phytoplasma in diseased grapevines.