Characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against pyruvate oxidase from Escherichia coli: Modulation of antibody-induced inhibition by enzyme conformation

Monoclonal antibodies have been prepared against pyruvate oxidase, a flavoprotein dehydrogenase isolated from Escherchia coli. Six monoclonals were obtained, but only one was found to bind to the native form of the enzyme. This monoclonal, 1I1, was a potent inhibitor. Although this antibody inhibited the unactivated and lipid-activated forms of the enzyme, it had much less of an inhibitory effect on the protease-activated form of the enzyme, although the antibody still bound to this form. Hence, the coupling between antibody binding and the conformation at the active site can itself be modulated by the conformation of the protein.