Antibodies specific for native PrPsc

摘要

An antibody is claimed which is characterised by its ability to bind the scrapie isoform of prion protein PrP-Sc in situ. Also claimed are: (1) an antibody which specifically binds to PrP-Sc produced by a process comprising: (a) synthesizing a library of antibodies on phage; (b) panning the library against a sample by bringing the phage into contact with a compsn. comprising prion proteins (PrP); (c) isolating phage which bind PrP-Sc protein; (2) a method of detecting human PrP-Sc in a source, comprising: (a) contacting a source suspected of contg. human PrP-Sc with an antibody which specifically binds 50% or more of human PrP-Sc in the source; and (b) determining whether the antibody binds specifically to any material in the source; and (3) an assay, comprising: (a) a support surface; and (b) an antibody bound to the surface of the support, the antibody characterised by an ability to bind native PrP-Sc in situ with a binding affinity of 107 l/mole or more.