Peptide sequence tags and method of using same

Abstract

Peptide sequence tags are identified and used to produce a class of global antibodies, which recognize all members of RbcL protein family with uniform specificity, regardless of the species of origin. The tags are used to create antibodies to the major RbcL protein of the RUBISCO enzyme catalyzing of carbon fixation. The antibodies have a range of applications as diagnostic detection reagents for the major environmental process of carbon fixation.

1 . A method for detecting the presence of a RbcL (RUBISCO) protein in a sample comprising the steps of: 
 (a) identifying and obtaining a peptide sequence tag conserved for all sequences of members of the RbcL protein, and exclusive to the RbcL protein wherein said peptide sequence tag is selected from the group consisting of    SEQ ID NO: 2    SEQ ID NO: 7    SEQ ID NO: 8    SEQ ID NO: 9 
 (b) utilizing the tag to elicit the production of antibodies; and  
 (c) using the antibodies to measure the concentration of the RbcL protein sample.  
   
     
     
         2 . A peptide sequence tag selected from the group consisting of 
 SEQ ID NO: 2    SEQ ID NO: 7    SEQ ID NO: 8    SEQ ID NO: 9