Super catalytic antibody [I]: decomposition of targeted protein by its antibody light chain.

Obtaining an antibody capable of destroying a targeted protein is the eventual goal in developing superior catalytic antibody. We established a monoclonal antibody recognizing a highly conserved sequence, RGPDRPEGIEEEGGERDRD, of gp41 of the HIV-1 envelope. The obtained antibody reacted with gp41 and gp160 of HIV-1. The isolated and purified light chain not only decomposed the above antigenic peptide but also destroyed the gp41 molecule, indicating a novel ability. The decomposition of the antigen is presumably started by scission of the peptide bond between Arg-Gly in the above sequence. The light chain did not decompose BSA and HSA at all, showing the high specificity to antigens. The antibody light chain is referred to as a super catalytic antibody.