Expression of a single-chain antibody against indole-3-acetic acid in Escherichia coli

A hybridoma cell line that produces a monoclonal antibody specific for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was prepared. The DNA fragments coding the variable regions of the light and the heavy chains of the antibody were prepared by PCR using the cDNA of the antibody as a template. A chimera DNA for a single chain variable fragment (scFv) was constructed, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The scFv antibody expressed in E. coli as well as the original monoclonal antibody showed a specific binding to IAA.