Analysis of the structure and function of a protein such as the epidermal growth factor receptor is facilitated by the use of antibodies directed against discrete portions of the protein. Here, we describe the characterization and use of antibodies directed against synthetic peptides corresponding to specific portions of the epidermal growth factor receptor and/or v-erbB protein. In particular, one useful antiserum has allowed us to compare the protein kinase activities of the epidermal growth factor receptor and the v-erbB proteins and to conclude that the v-erbB protein is a protein-tyrosine specific kinase as is its homologue the avian epidermal growth factor receptor.