USE OF CROSS-REACTIVE ANTIBODIES TO DETECT MEMBERS OF THE POTYVIRIDAE

In attempts to use cross-reacting antibodies for the broad-spectrum detection of potyviruses, two broad-spectrum immunoreagents, the monoclonal antibody P-3-3H8 and antiserum TuMV-314 raised against an isolate of peanut stripe virus and turnip mosaic virus, respectively, were examined for their ability to detect members of the Potyviridae in a simple indirect plate-trapped antigen (PTA) ELISA. Both immunoreagents reacted strongly not only with isolates of 50 different virus species of the genus Potyvirus but also with several isolates of ryegrass mosaic virus, the type member of the genus Rymovirus. A few members of the genus Potyvirus as well as agropyron mosaic and hordeum mosaic viruses, two other species of the genus Rymovirus, did not react with P3-3H8 but only with TuMV-314 which showed the highest degree of cross-reactivity. In no case were positive reactions obtained with members of the genera Bymovirus and Ipomovirus. These two immunoreagents which appear to be directed to conserved epitopes gave good results when they were employed for detecting potyviruses in field samples from ornamental (Liliales) and leguminous plants. The potential and limitations of cross-reactive antibodies for the routine detection of potyviruses are discussed.