Characterization by Scatchard plots of monoclonal antibody enzyme conjugates directed against alpha-1-foetoprotein

A radioimmunoassay was used to investigate the affinity of 2 monoclonal antibodies against human alpha-1-foetoprotein before and after conjugation with horseradish peroxidase. The equilibrium constant of the high-affinity antibody was reduced 10-fold whereas it remained unaffected in the low-affinity antibody. With the Scatchard diagram, quantification of unlabelled antibodies in the unpurified conjugate mixture is also possible if antibody affinity is changed by the coupling procedure.