Topographic analysis of tobacco etch virus capsid protein epitopes.

Monoclonal antibodies have been prepared, which react with capsid protein of an aphid-transmitted isolate of tobacco etch virus (TEV). Ten different monoclonal antibodies were characterized with reference to (1) antibody class, (2) reactivity with different plant virus antigens, (3) the spatial relationship between epitopes, and (4) whether these epitopes were located on the exterior surface of the virion. Three monoclonal antibodies were specific for TEV isolates. These monoclonal antibodies reacted with epitopes exposed on the external surface of the TEV particle. Seven monoclonal antibodies reacted with a variety of different potyviruses including TEV, potato virus Y, tobacco vein mottling virus, pepper mottle virus, watermelon mosaic virus II, and maize dwarf mosaic virus. In general, these seven monoclonal antibodies defined epitopes not readily accessible on the virion surface.