Preparation and characterization of peroxidase: antiperoxidase-Fab complex

The preparation and characterization of a horseradish peroxidase-rabbit antiperoxidase Fab immunocomplex (HRP-Fab2) useful for immunocytochemical localization of primary tissue-bound rabbit antibody are described. Antisera with titer to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were raised in rabbits. Anti-HRP-Fab fragments were prepared by controlled mercuripapain digestion of the purified rabbit IgG. The complex was formed during incubation of Fab fragments with HRP, and fractions containing HRP activity that were precipitable by goat anti-rabbit IgG serum were isolated by gel filtration. The major isolated complex had a molecular weight of approximately 150,000 daltons and migrated as a single band on cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in SDS indicated the major polypeptide components of the complex were HRP and Fab. RZ (absorbance at 403 nm/275 nm) determination indicated a molar ratio of 2 Fab:1 HRP. The complex was stable for at least 1 year at -20 degrees C and was used successfully in a number of immunocytochemical procedures.