4k3h

Publication Abstract from PubMed

We report that a symmetric small-molecule ligand mediates the assembly of antibody light chain variable domains (VLs) into a correspondent symmetric ternary complex with novel interfaces. The L5* fluorogen activating protein is a VL domain that binds malachite green (MG) dye to activate intense fluorescence. Crystallography of liganded L5* reveals a 2:1 protein:ligand complex with inclusive C2 symmetry, where MG is almost entirely encapsulated between an antiparallel arrangement of the two VL domains. Unliganded L5* VL domains crystallize as a similar antiparallel VL/VL homodimer. The complementarity-determining regions are spatially oriented to form novel VL/VL and VL/ligand interfaces that tightly constrain a propeller conformer of MG. Binding equilibrium analysis suggests highly cooperative assembly to form a very stable VL/MG/VL complex, such that MG behaves as a strong chemical inducer of dimerization. Fusion of two VL domains into a single protein tightens MG binding over 1000-fold to low picomolar affinity without altering the large binding enthalpy, suggesting that bonding interactions with ligand and restriction of domain movements make independent contributions to binding. Fluorescence activation of a symmetrical fluorogen provides a selection mechanism for the isolation and directed evolution of ternary complexes where unnatural symmetric binding interfaces are favored over canonical antibody interfaces. As exemplified by L5*, these self-reporting complexes may be useful as modulators of protein association or as high-affinity protein tags and capture reagents.

Malachite Green Mediates Homodimerization of Antibody V Domains to Form a Fluorescent Ternary Complex with Singular Symmetric Interfaces.,Szent-Gyorgyi C, Stanfield RL, Andreko S, Dempsey A, Ahmed M, Capek S, Waggoner AS, Wilson IA, Bruchez MP J Mol Biol. 2013 Aug 23. pii: S0022-2836(13)00534-2. doi:, 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.08.014. PMID:23978698^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.