Use of protein A to improve sensitisation of latex particles with antibodies to plant viruses

Protein A‐coated latex (PAL) was compared with uncoated latex (L) for sensitisation with antibodies to five plant viruses: apple mosaic virus (ApMV), arabis mosaic virus (AMV), plum pox virus (PPV), potato virus Y ordinary strain (PVY°) and prunus necrotic ringspot virus (NRS V). A range of globulin concentrations was used with each antiserum and detection end points determined in serial dilutions of infective sap. When sensitised with antibodies to ApMV, PAL detected ApMV readily, whereas L did not. When sensitized with antibodies to PVY° and AMV, PAL gave higher detection end points than L. However, PAL gave little increase in sensitivity with the antisera to PPV and NRSV. Non‐specific aggregation of latex, which sometimes occurred in very dilute sap with PAL, could be dispersed by adding 0.02% Tween‐20 to the extraction buffer. Globulins of PVY° and AMV could be used at higher dilutions with PAL than with L, giving a saving in antiserum. Both types of latex sensitised with PVY° antibody globulins readily detected the tobacco veinal necrosis and C strains of this virus.