Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450.

Monoclonal antibodies against cytochrome P-450 were prepared from phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomes. The immunoglobulin classes and subclasses, as well as the binding capacity to cytochrome P-450, of the different antibodies were characterized. Their specificity was verified by various techniques and seemed to correspond to a single form of cytochrome P-450, the major phenobarbital-inducible form. However, the antibodies were unable to inhibit completely the monooxygenase activities investigated. These antibodies may constitute very specific and powerful analytical tools for characterizing and quantifying cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes.