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A monoclonal IgG antibody directed against gp 41 from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) has been crystallized in both intact and Fab forms. Crystals of the intact antibody grow as tetragonal-like prisms too small for conventional X-ray analysis. However, the Fab portion of the antibody produces suitable plate-like crystals which belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell constants of a = 66.5 A, b = 74.3 A and c = 105.3 A. There is one molecule of Fab in the asymmetric unit. The Fab crystals show diffraction to d-spacings less than 3.0 A.

Isoforms of human monoclonal antibodies against the gp-41 of AIDS virus and of human recombinant superoxide dismutase have been purified to homogeneity by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in a multi-compartment electrolyser with isoelectric, immobiline membranes. This system allows the processing of large sample volumes and gram-scale protein loads and can resolve isoforms as close as 0.001 in pI difference. The purification progress was usually monitored by analytical IEF in immobilized pH gradients (IPG). Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was applied to the monitoring of the content of each chamber of the electrolyser. CZE was found to be superior in terms of speed of analysis and quantification (but only by UV reading at 200-210 nm, i.e., in the region of the peptide bond) but, notwithstanding the millions of theoretical plates reported, was no match for the resolving power of IPGs, at least for protein analysis. When compared also with chromatofocusing, the resolving power decreases in the order IPG greater than CZE much greater than chromatofocusing.

A fast protein liquid chromatographic method for the preparative separation of the various isoproteins is described. Highly purified human monoclonal antibodies, recombinant human superoxide dismutase and human superoxide dismutase from erythrocytes were used as starting material. The isoproteins were separated by chromatofocusing on Mono P columns. A very narrow pH gradient was applied to achieve complete separation of the isoproteins. The prepurification steps and the pretreatment of the samples to achieve optimum resolution are described in detail. The method is also applicable to extremely basic monoclonal antibodies (pI = 9). The successful separation was checked by isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients (Immobilines). The future of these methods is discussed, because for many different biochemical and biophysical investigations pure and homogeneous isoproteins are necessary.

Protein A Superose, protein G Sepharose fast flow and copolymerized hydroxyapatite were used for the purification of human monoclonal antibodies against HIV 1. Both desalted culture supernatant and a prepurified protein solution were used as starting materials. The different runs were compared with respect to yield and recovery of biological activity. The biological activity (specific reactivity) was checked by antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant antigen. The human monoclonal antibodies could not be selectively eluted from the hydroxyapatite but elution could be effected from the protein A Superose at pH 4.0 and from protein G at pH 3.0. The eluted immunoglobulin G was distributed over a broad pH range when protein G Superose was used. Biologically active material could be obtained from protein A Superose and protein G Sepharose fast flow.