Modeling role of pyruvate in the processes of protein-protein interaction

Using the ABO antibody-antigen model the influence of natural metabolite pyruvate on the antibody interaction with of erythrocyte antigens, defining their group specificity has been investigated. Before agglutination reaction erythrocytes of A(II)-AB(IV) blood groups, monoclonal anti-A and anti-B antibodies were incubated with sodium pyruvate. Visualization of agglutinates was performed by means of flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Computer-aided prediction of the spectrum of biological activity of pyruvate by a PASS program proposed major regulatory pathways, in which pyruvate may be involved. It has been demonstrated that pyruvate can regulate the intensity of antigen-antibody interaction. These results suggest the possibility of using small molecules, for example pyruvate, as molecular probes and prospects of the use of erythrocytes with antigenic determinants of the ABO system expressed on their membranes for studies of protein-protein interactions due to convenient visualization and possibility of quantitative evaluation of this process.