In vitro scanning saturation mutagenesis of an antibody binding pocket

Antibody engineering

Among the most important advances in antibody engineering of this past year is the advent of new tools to study the relationship between protein (including antibody) structure and function. Very rapid large-scale mutational analysis of antibodies is now possible by using in vitro transcription and translation. Ribosome display is a rapidly evolving technology for modifying antibody function that offers several potential advantages over phage display.

Harmful somatic mutations: lessons from the dark side

The ability of somatic mutation to modify the course of an immune response is well documented. However, emphasis has been placed almost exclusively on the ability of somatic mutation to improve the functional characteristics of representative antibodies. The harmful effects of somatic mutation, its dark side, have been far less well characterized. Yet evidence suggests that the number of B cells directed to wastage pathways as a result of harmful somatic mutation probably far exceeds the number of cells whose antibodies have been improved. Here we review our recent findings in understanding the structural and functional consequences of V-region mutation.