A monoclonal antibody specific for a 40 kDa polypeptide recognizes pathogenic strains of Entamoeba histolytica

In vitro interaction of Entamoeba hystolytica trophozoites with collagen induces the intracellular formation and release of electron-dense granules (EDGs). We determined that four polypeptides in EDGs total antigen by SDS-PAGE were absent in trophozoite extracts. A monoclonal antibody raised against these EDGs recognized a polypeptide of 40 kDa specific for the pathogenic strains of E. histolytica. In addition, this mAb recognized a 96 kDa peptide masked by carbohydrates