PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TO RICIN A CHAIN

Abstract

Ricin, a plant toxin found in the castor bean has been under investigation for many years as a possible biological threat and as an immunotoxin for use in the treatment of cancer (1). It has been cited as one of the five most toxic substances known and one molecule is believed to be able to kill a single cell. Since this molecule is of such importance in these areas it is critical that a method for the detection and quantitation of ricin be established, as well as further insight into its structure and mechanism of action. Currently detection of this important molecule often involves the use of the same polyclonal antibodies as reagents for capture and detection in an ELISA format. This method has many disadvantages that include a greater background leading to higher than optimal detection limits, the great variability of polyclonal sera, and the difficulties associated with the production and processing of sera in animals.