Optimization of the crystallizability of a single-chain antibody fragment

Single-chain variable antibody fragments (scFvs) are molecules with immense therapeutic and diagnostic potential. Knowledge of their three-dimensional structure is important for understanding their antigen-binding mode as well as for protein-engineering approaches such as antibody humanization. A major obstacle to the crystallization of single-chain variable antibody fragments is their relatively poor homogeneity caused by spontaneous oligomerization. A new approach to optimization of the crystallizability of single-chain variable antibody fragments is demonstrated using a representative single-chain variable fragment derived from the anti-CD3 antibody MEM-57. A Thermofluor-based assay was utilized to screen for optimal conditions for antibody-fragment stability and homogeneity. Such an optimization of the protein storage buffer led to a significantly improved ability of the scFv MEM-57 to yield crystals.

Source: Acta Crystallographica Section F - November 14, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Škerlová, J.Král, V.Fábry, M.Sedláček, J.Veverka, V.Řezáčová, P. Tags: single-chain antibody fragment Thermofluor assay differential scanning fluorimetry crystallizability optimization oligomerization crystallization laboratory communications Source Type: research