A new method for producing a specific and high titre antibody against glutamate using colloidal gold as a carrier

Antiserum against the glutamate was developed using colloidal gold as a carrier for the antigen. Glutamate was bound directly to colloidal gold without using cross-linking reagents such as glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, or carbodiimide. Repeated injection of the colloidal gold-glutamate complex into the rabbit yielded a specific, high titre antiserum. Specificity was verified by radioimmunoassay and histochemically with absorption controls. The antiserum immunohistochemically detected numerous glutamate-containing neurons in the rat brain.