The anti-19P2 ligand monoclonal antibodies of the invention (in particular
P2L-1Ca) have very high binding ability and can neutralize the
arachidonic acid metabolite releasing activity of the 19P2 ligand.
Therefore, they can be used, among others, as diagnostic, prophylactic
and/or therapeutic agents for various diseases caused by some or other
abnormality in the pituitary function modulating activity (e.g. prolactin
secretion promoting activity), central nervous system modulating activity
and pancreatic function modulating activity, among others, supposedly
possessed by the 19P2 ligand.The immunoassay method using the monoclonal
antibodies of the invention by the sandwich technique (in particular the
sandwich technique using the monoclonal antibody and an antibody
recognizing an intermediate portion of the 19P2 ligand) can assay the
19P2 ligand or a derivative thereof specifically and with high
sensitivity. This assay method can be used in elucidating the
physiological functions of the 19P2 ligand or a derivative thereof.