Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody to human saposin C.

A murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody, termed 68-12, was produced against purified human saposin C. Immunoprecipitation and binding analysis indicated that the antibody reacted only with saposin C. Dot blotting and Western analysis demonstrated that antibody 68-12 also reacted with prosaposin and a higher molecular weight protein(s) in murine spleen and cerebral grey matter. Solid phase competitive radioimmunoassay against 125I labeled saposin C (0.25 micrograms/ml) showed no cross reactivity for saposin A, B and D up to 15 micrograms/ml. At a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml saposin A, B and D cross reacted 21, 1.5, and 49% respectively. Monoclonal antibody 68-12 appears to have potential utility in the purification, detection and quantitation of human saposin C and its precursor.