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Antibody–antigen pair probed by combinatorial approach and rational design: Bringing together structural insights, directed evolution, and novel functionality
Author(s) -
Belogurov Alexey,
Smirnov Ivan,
Ponomarenko Natalya,
Gabibov Alexander
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.07.046
Subject(s) - antigen , antibody , rational design , computational biology , biology , genetics , chemistry , computer science
The unique hypervariability of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily provides a means to create both binding and catalytic antibodies with almost any desired specificity and activity. The diversity of antigens and concept of adaptive response suggest that it is possible to find an antigen pair to any raised Ig. In the current review we discuss combinatorial approaches, which makes it possible to obtain an antibody with predefined properties, followed by 3D structure‐based rational design to enhance or dramatically change its characteristics. A similar strategy, but applied to the second partner of the antibody–antigen pair, may result in selection of complementary substrates to the chosen Ig. Finally, 2D screening may be performed solving the “Chicken and Egg” problem when neither antibody nor antigen is known.