Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 144, 1679-1682, Copyright © 1976 by Rockefeller University Press
Some properties of antisera to serum amyloid A protein (SAA): inhibition of precipitation by complexing of SAA to albumin
EC Franklin
Three potent rabbit antisera to human serum amyloid A protein (SAA) appear
to be directed exclusibely to the carboxy terminal region not shared with
the tissue amyloid A protein. Since binding to albumin completely blocks
the reaction of these antisera with the antigen, and since SAA exists in
serum complexed to albumin, the anti-SAA cannot be used to detect or
quantitate this serum component. The possibility that similar problems will
be encountered with immunoassays for molecules that exist complexed to
other proteins is discussed.