Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to plum pox virus and their use in differentiation of Mediterranean isolates.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to plum pox virus (PPV) were prepared by fusing myeloma cell lines to spleen cells of mice immunized with purified virus, including virus prepared with protease inhibitors to preserve the integrity of the coat protein (CP). The characterized MAbs could be used in ELISA to differentiate several Mediterranean PPV isolates differing in their geographical origin and CP size. At least seven antigenic sites could be established based on the recognition pattern and competition binding analysis, and the epitopes could be classified in three groups by Western blot analysis of intact and trypsin digested virus particles. By means of electron microscopy the epitopes could be seen to be located on the surface of the virus particles.