Detecting Proteins with Antibodies: Part 1

When a foreign protein enters the body, the mammalian immune system generates antibodies that bind to the protein with high specificity. This property has been harnessed to develop a versatile method for selectively detecting proteins.

In this example of the developing butterfly wing, the protein molecule Distal-less (Dll) was injected into a rabbit to generate antibodies that are highly specific to Dll.

A dark green wing of a developing butterfly larva on the left; a blue Y shape on the right is labeled anti-distal-less antibody raised in a rabbit. A purple shape on one side of the blue Y is labeled distal-less protein and a brown shape on the other side of the Y is labeled other proteins not bound by the antibody.
Distal-less (Dll) protein injected into a rabbit generates Anti-Distal-less antibodies