Molecular Specificity of Adsorption of Biofilm Macromolecules and Accumulation of Microbial Biofouling on Artificial Surfaces in the Sea.

摘要

Hyperimmune mouse Immunoglobulin G made against microbial adhesion enhancement macromolecules (MAEM) reacts specifically with plates coated with immune chicken IgG. Very high titers (100,000) of hyperimmune mouse sera suggest production of antibody (ies) against/MAEM antigens, however, the ELISA assay could not discriminate specific from apparent, nonspecific reactions. D-galactose and elevated salt concentrations did not affect this binding. The chicken and mouse may be making antibodies to different portions of the same MAEM or to different MAEM antigens. The clarify this: (1) MAEM antigens from the same source are being isolated independently by toad and chicken immunoaffinity columns. 2) Adhesion enhancement activity of the respective recovered antigens is being assessed. 3) MAEM antigens recovered from the toad immunoaffinity column are being examined for their quantitative recovery and adhesion activity when they are reacted with the immunoaffinity column made with chicken antibodies. 4) Antigens recovered by the two types of columns will be used to produce hyperimmune mouse sera for reexamination of the ELISA specificity. Inhibitory effects of these sera on the adhesion enhancement activity of MAEM antigens will be used to assess similarities among adsorbed MAEM antigens. (aw)