Synthetic Haptens and Monoclonal Antibodies to the Cyanotoxin Anatoxin-a

Abstract

Early warning systems for monitoring toxic events may benefit from the availability of monoclonal antibodies enabling the sensitive and specific detection of anatoxin-a, a cyanotoxin involved in numerous cases of animal poisoning resulting from toxic algal blooms in freshwaters. Through the synthesis of three functionalized derivatives of anatoxin-a, we have succeeded in generating the first-ever reported immunoreagents (bioconjugates and antibodies) suitable for the development of immunoanalytical approaches aimed at rapid and onsite detection of this harmful cyanotoxin.

Keywords: antibodies; enantioselective recognition; hapten design; immunoassays; toxins.