Download MendeleySolution structure of a llama single-domain antibody with hydrophobic residues typical of the VH/VL interface.
Vranken, W., Tolkatchev, D., Xu, P., Tanha, J., Chen, Z., Narang, S., Ni, F.(2002) Biochemistry 41: 8570-8579
- PubMed: 12093273
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/bi012169a
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
1IEH - PubMed Abstract:
The three-dimensional structure of a llama single-domain antibody BrucD4-4 was established by use of solution NMR spectroscopy. BrucD4-4 has Val, Gly, Leu, and Trp residues at positions 37, 44, 45, and 47, which are considered to be a hallmark to distinguish llama VH from V(H)H fragments at the germline level. In contrast to the murine and human VHs, BrucD4-4 has sufficient solubility, is monomeric in solution, and displays high-quality NMR spectra characteristic of well-structured proteins. Amide proton/deuterium exchange and the (15)N relaxation data showed that BrucD4-4 has a classic protein structure with a well-packed core and comparatively mobile surface loops. The three-dimensional architecture of BrucD4-4 is analogous to that of VHs from murine and human F(v)s and camelid V(H)Hs with two pleated beta-sheets formed by four and five beta-strands. A canonical and undistorted beta-barrel exposes a number of hydrophobic residues into the solvent on the surface of the three-dimensional structure. The eight-residue H3 loop folds over the side chain of Val37 similarly to that in llama V(H)Hs; however, this interaction may be transient due to the H3 conformational flexibility. Overall, the surface characteristics of BrucD4-4 with respect to hydrophobicity appear to lie between the human VH domain from Fv Pot and the llama V(H)H fragment HC-V, which may explain its enhanced solubility allowing NMR structural analysis.
Organizational Affiliation:
Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4P 2R2.
