Researchers at Colorado State University have developed and characterized a panel of monoclonal antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. The clones were tested for activity in western blots, ELISAs, and immunofluorescence assays with SARS-CoV-2 infected cells and for cross reactivity against SARS-CoV, HuCoV-NL63, and HuCoV-229E N protein. Overall, data provides a strong foundation for the use of the monoclonal antibodies to study SARS-CoV-2 N protein and development of novel diagnostic assays to detection of COVID-19.
Coronavirus nucleocapsid protein plays a key role in coating the viral RNA genome during virion formation, and overall pathogenesis. Additionally, the nucleocapsid protein has been used as a diagnostic marker for active coronavirus infection. There are very few antibody reagents currently available that are specific for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid, as most monoclonal antibodies that are commercially available were generated against SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein and are cross-reactive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid. There is a significant need for new antibodies to be produced with increased specificity and utility for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein for both the research community and the necessity to develop therapeutics.
The antibody clones were screened by ELISA, Western Blot, and Immunofluorescence assays. The cross-reactivity of antibodies was tested against SARS-CoV, HuCoV-NL63, and HuCoV-229E N proteins. These antibodies have validated high specificity towards SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein across several diagnostic and research assays.
Material is available through Addgene, individual product linked below:
211756 – Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein [mBG17]
211757 – Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein [mBG86]
Brian Geiss
Tony Schountz
James Terry
Steve Foster
Steve.Foster@colostate.edu
970-491-7100