Removal of unwanted proteins from cell extracts by means of antiserum

The efficiency of removal of soluble proteins in cell-free bacterial extracts by means of antiserum from rabbits immunized with similar extracts was measured. Precipitation followed by Sephadex gel-chromatography was used. Up to 80% (exceptionally 90%) removal could be obtained. The method might be applied to enrichment for "foreign" cell-extract components, for example, viral products in virus infected cells. Tests for the specificity of the method are also presented.