Download MendeleyCovalently constrained 'Di-Gembodies' enable parallel structure solutions by cryo-EM.
Yi, G., Mamalis, D., Ye, M., Carrique, L., Fairhead, M., Li, H., Duerr, K.L., Zhang, P., Sauer, D.B., von Delft, F., Davis, B.G., Gilbert, R.J.C.(2025) Nat Chem Biol
- PubMed: 40817135
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-01972-7
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
8RL5, 8RL6, 8RL7, 8RL8, 8RL9, 8RLA, 8RLB, 8RLC, 8RLD, 8RLE, 9FGV, 9FGX, 9FGY, 9FKQ - PubMed Abstract:
Whilst cryo-electron microscopy(cryo-EM) has become a routine methodology in structural biology, obtaining high-resolution cryo-EM structures of small proteins (<100 kDa) and increasing overall throughput remain challenging. One approach to augment protein size and improve particle alignment involves the use of binding proteins or protein-based scaffolds. However, a given imaging scaffold or linking module may prove inadequate for structure solution and availability of such scaffolds remains limited. Here, we describe a strategy that exploits covalent dimerization of nanobodies to trap an engineered, predisposed nanobody-to-nanobody interface, giving Di-Gembodies as modular constructs created in homomeric and heteromeric forms. By exploiting side-chain-to-side-chain assembly, they can simultaneously display two copies of the same or two distinct proteins through a subunit interface that provides sufficient constraint required for cryo-EM structure determination. We validate this method with multiple soluble and membrane structural targets, down to 14 kDa, demonstrating a flexible and scalable platform for expanded protein structure determination.
- Division of Structural Biology, Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Organizational Affiliation:
