Production of a specific monoclonal antibody to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and the extensive studies of TdT in patients with hematological malignancies.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) was purified from calf thymus and a monoclonal antibody-producing clone was produced by the fusion of mouse myeloma cells and spleen cells of mice immunized with the purified enzyme. The antigens recognized by an immunoadsorbent column revealed TdT, whose molecular weight was 62 kDa. The extensive study of TdT in 196 patients with hematological disorders was done. The results from immunofluorescent analysis corresponded well to the results of biochemical assays of this enzyme. This monoclonal antibody will provide a useful means for the survey of leukemia and lymphoma patients.