The laboratory has been using monoclonal antibodies (MABs) to study the topology of selected proteins associated with photosynthesis in higher plants. This is done by isolating and cloning hybridomas which secrete MAbs of interest. Once obtained, the ability of the Mabs to bind to various preparations (rightsideout thylakoids, insideout thylakoids, isolated Photosystem II membranes, isolated proteins, etc.) can be asessed and in so doing it is possible to determine the exposure of the specific epitopes to which the MAbs bind. By cross correlating our Mab binding data and epitope determination with hypothetical models of protein topography based on hydropathic analyseSs of protein primary structure, more topologically correct models of photosynthetic protein complexes of the thylakoid membrane can be developed.
