Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

Mouse hybridomas which produce monoclonal antibodies to the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) have been prepared and the protein to which each is directed has been determined. The antibody produced by clones 3F3 and 5E9 specifically bound polyhedron protein of MW 32,000 when used in immunoadsorption chromatography When used in ELISA they could not distinguish between insect- and cell culture-derived polyhedron protein and also reacted with a wide range of baculoviruses. The antibody produced by clone 3D10 specifically immunoprecipitated a polypeptide of MW 42,000 from tissue culture-derived extracellular virus which was a prominent product synthesized in infected cells. This polypeptide was a major component of enveloped virus, released from insect-derived polyhedra, and nucleocapsids. In contrast to 3F3 and 5E9, this antibody was specific for AcNPV.