Analysis of an anti-progesterone antibody: variable crystal morphology of the Fab' and steroid-Fab' complexes

Immunology. 1987 Dec;62(4):511-21.

Abstract

Anti-progesterone monoclonal antibodies are being used for structural studies of antibody-antigen interaction, for their ability to block pregnancy shortly after fertilization, and for hormone immunoassay. A mouse anti-progesterone monoclonal Fab' fragment has been crystallized in its native form and co-crystallized with seven different, but structurally related, steroids. The crystals show interesting preferences in their crystal morphology, depending on the bound steroid ligand. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of this Fab', complexed with a series of related steroid ligands, should reveal details of the chemistry of antibody-antigen union and provide insights into how steroids interact with proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex*
  • Base Sequence
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments*
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Progesterone / immunology*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Progesterone