Immunoassays for brain natriuretic propeptide

Abstract

Immunoassays for the biological precursor of human brain natriuretic peptide are described.

1 . Isolated antibodies useful for immunoassays to detect, and which specifically bind, human brain natriuretic peptide of the formula: 
 R 1 -Ser-Pro-Lys-Met-Val-Gln-Gly-Ser-Gly-Cys-Phe-Gly-Arg-Lys-Met-Asp-Arg-Ile-Ser-Ser-Ser-Ser-Gly-Leu-Gly-Cys-Lys-Val-Leu-Arg-Arg-His (SEQ ID NO: 49), or the C-terminal amides thereof;    wherein R 1  is the 102 amino acid sequence shown for human BNP in  FIG. 8  at positions numbered 1-99 immediately upstream of the Ser residue to which R 1  is bound, or a C-terminal portion thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The antibodies of  claim 1  which are monoclonal antibodies.  
     
     
         3 . The antibodies of  claim 1  which further comprise a label.  
     
     
         4 . A method to perform an immunoassay to detect human brain natriuretic peptide in a sample which method comprises contacting said sample with the antibodies of  claim 1  and assessing the ability of said antibodies to immunoreact with any human brain natriuretic peptide contained in said sample.  
     
     
         5 . A kit for conducting an immunoassay to detect human brain natriuretic peptide which kit comprises the antibodies of  claim 1  in containers and reagents capable of recognizing and specifically binding to said peptide or said antibodies in additional containers.