Designed hapten aimed at anti-ciguatoxin monoclonal antibody: Synthesis, immunization and discrimination of the C2 configuration

The ABC-ring fragment of ciguatoxin was synthesized as a C2 epimeric mixture (1:1). The mixture, which was designed as a possible hapten for preparing an anti-ciguatoxin monoclonal antibody was conjugated with a carrier protein (KLH) and then used for immunization of mice. The three monoctonal antibodies (mAbs) obtained have shown an appreciable reactivity to the hapten. Each mAb discriminated configuration of the C2 hydroxy group of the ABC-ring fragment. The mAb which showed reactivity to the 2S-fragment was cross-reacted with ciguatoxin.