Epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies against N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen.
Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against N-domain of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C249, K348, K1338, and K1444, that inhibit CEA-mediated cell adhesion, did not crossreact with nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA). To determine amino acid sequences involved in the adhesion, epitopes of the MoAbs were mapped with recombinant NCAs carrying CEA-NCA chimeric N-domain. The data showed that the epitopes of C249, K1338, K1444 are located within the regions 1-32, 1-32, and 33-59 of CEA, respectively, and that two discrete regions 1-32 and 60-93 may be related to the epitope of K348. Comparison of amino acid sequences between CEA and NCA suggested that four residues (21, 27-29), eight residues (21, 27-29, 66, 78, 79, 89), and three residues (43, 44, 46) are important for recognition by C249 (or K1338), K348, and K1444, respectively. These residues seem to participate in the cell adhesion mediated by CEA.