The production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (MAb AB10) against GA 3 glucoside as well as GA 3 is described. MAb AB10 was derived from an immunogen in which human serum albumin (HSA) was linked to GA 3 at carbon 3. This antibody showed high affinity for GA 3 glucoside as well as for 13 hydroxy gibberellins (GA 1, GA 3, GA 5, etc). The affinity of MAb AB10 for 13 hydroxy GAs was significantly reduced by methylation of the 7 oic acid but not by glycosylation of 3 hydroxyl group. Based on this antibody, both of competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for GA 3 glucoside and for GA 3 were developed. These two ELISAs displayed linear detection ranges from 0 2 pmol to 20 pmol. Using these assays, the fluctuation of GA 3 like and GA 3 glucoside like substances in the leaves of Rumex japonicus was investigated. The results indicated that the glycosylation of free GAs was connected with leaf senescence and that the function of 6 benzyl amino purine in retarding the leaf senescence was probably related to delaying the process of glycosylation of free GAs.
