Fig. 2

Comparing functionality of algae and hybridoma produced α MARV NP antibodies in different in vitro assays. a Western blot analyses demonstrate that algae and hybridoma produced antibodies recognize the MARV NP protein equally good. Cell extract of MARV infected HuH7 cells was separated by SDS-PAGE, followed by western blot analyses using 500 ng/ml antibody for detection. In case of both antibodies the nucleoprotein is detected with a clear and distinct signal at about 120 kDa. b ELISA studies measuring the binding affinity for MARV NP protein reveal that the algal produced antibody, which was retrieved directly from the culture medium is able to bind the native protein, but not as good as the hybridoma produced antibody. Medium of wild type cells and samples without NP protein served as negative controls. c Immunofluorescence assays with MARV infected HuH7 cells (20 h post infection) show for both antibodies a clear labeling for MARV NP, which accumulates in dot like structures (green) around the nucleus (blue DAPI stained). No labeling is observed for mock HuH7 cells. Error bars indicate standard deviation (n = 3)