A general protocol for the generation of Nanobodies for structural biology

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

There is growing interest in using antibodies as auxiliary tools to crystallize proteins. Here we describe a general protocol for the generation of Nanobodies to be used as crystallization chaperones for the structural investigation of diverse conformational states of flexible (membrane) proteins and complexes thereof. Our technology has a competitive advantage over other recombinant crystallization chaperones in that we fully exploit the natural humoral response against native antigens. Accordingly, we provide detailed protocols for the immunization with native proteins and for the selection by phage display of in vivo-matured Nanobodies that bind conformational epitopes of functional proteins. Three representative examples illustrate that the outlined procedures are robust, making it possible to solve by Nanobody-assisted X-ray crystallography in a time span of 6-12 months.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftNature Protocols (Print)
Vol/bind9
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)674-93
Antal sider20
ISSN1754-2189
DOI
StatusUdgivet - mar. 2014

ID: 120587145