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Factors Affecting Selection of Epitope Specificity of Monoclonal Antibodies to Tulip Breaking Potyvirus. H. T. Hsu, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Florist and Nursery Crops Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland 20705; J. M. Franssen(2), C. T. C. van der Hulst(3), A. F. L. M. Derks(4), and R. H. Lawson(5). (2)(3)(4)Bulb Research Center, Lisse, The Netherlands; (5)U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Florist and Nursery Crops Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. Phytopathology 78:1337-1340. Accepted for publication 9 May 1988. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1988. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-78-1337.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) for cryptotopes or neotopes of tulip breaking potyvirus (TBV) were selected on antigen-coated plates. These antigenic determinants were apparently selected because of the instability of the virus in the alkaline condition. Cryptotopes are exposed when the virus is degraded, and neotopes are created due to novel antigenic specificities under a particular environment. In double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS ELISA), lower A₄₀₅ readings were obtained with TBV McAb-coated than with TBV polyclonal antibody (PAb)-coated plates. In ELISA on antigen-coated plates, detection of purified TBV was more sensitive with enzyme-labeled McAbs than with enzyme-labeled PAbs. In plates coated with TBV-infected saps, a higher A₄₀₅ reading was obtained with enzyme-labeled PAbs than with enzyme-labeled McAbs. Tulip breaking virus McAbs could be used to differentiate strains of TBV, and some also reacted to bean yellow mosaic potyvirus. One McAb also reacted to iris severe mosaic potyvirus. None of the McAbs reacted to lily symptomless carlavirus or lily potexvirus X.