1
|
El Salamouni NS, Cater JH, Spenkelink LM, Yu H. Nanobody engineering: computational modelling and design for biomedical and therapeutic applications. FEBS Open Bio 2024. [PMID: 38898362 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies, the smallest functional antibody fragment derived from camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies, have emerged as powerful tools for diverse biomedical applications. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the structural characteristics, functional properties, and computational approaches driving the design and optimisation of synthetic nanobodies. We explore their unique antigen-binding domains, highlighting the critical role of complementarity-determining regions in target recognition and specificity. This review further underscores the advantages of nanobodies over conventional antibodies from a biosynthesis perspective, including their small size, stability, and solubility, which make them ideal candidates for economical antigen capture in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biosensing. We discuss the recent advancements in computational methods for nanobody modelling, epitope prediction, and affinity maturation, shedding light on their intricate antigen-binding mechanisms and conformational dynamics. Finally, we examine a direct example of how computational design strategies were implemented for improving a nanobody-based immunosensor, known as a Quenchbody. Through combining experimental findings and computational insights, this review elucidates the transformative impact of nanobodies in biotechnology and biomedical research, offering a roadmap for future advancements and applications in healthcare and diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Jordan H Cater
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Lisanne M Spenkelink
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, University of Wollongong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liang YF, Yang JY, Shen YD, Xu ZL, Wang H. A breakthrough of immunoassay format for hapten: recent insights into noncompetitive immunoassays to detect small molecules. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38356229 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2315473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunoassay based on the antibodies specific for targets has advantages of high sensitivity, simplicity and low cost, therefore it has received more attention in recent years, especially for the rapid detection of small molecule chemicals present in foods, diagnostics and environments. However, limited by low molecular weight and only one antigenic determinant existed, immunoassays for these small molecule chemicals, namely hapten substances, were commonly performed in a competitive immunoassay format, whose sensitivities were obviously lower than the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay generally adaptable for the protein targets. In order to break through the bottleneck of detection format, researchers have designed and established several novel noncompetitive immunoassays for the haptens in the past few years. In this review, we focused on the four representative types of noncompetitive immunoassay formats and described their characteristics and applications in rapid detection of small molecules. Meanwhile, a systematic discussion on the current technologies challenges and the possible solutions were also summarized. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the current state-of-the-art in noncompetitive immunoassay for small molecules, and inspire the development of novel designs for small molecule detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin-Yi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Dong Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhen-Lin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sasamoto K, Yasuda T, Zhu B, Ueda H, Kitaguchi T. Efficient and rapid linker optimization with heterodimeric coiled coils improves the response of fluorescent biosensors comprising antibodies and protein M. Analyst 2023; 148:5843-5850. [PMID: 37941425 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01499a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
We developed a coiled Q-probe (CQ-probe), a fluorescent probe containing a coiled-coil peptide pair E4/K4, to convert antibodies into biosensors for homogeneous immunoassays. This probe consists of an antibody-binding protein, protein M (PM) with the E4 peptide and the K4 peptide with a fluorescent dye. Compared to PM Q-probes, which are generated by modifying the C-terminus of PM with a fluorescent dye, CQ-probe variants with various linkers are easy to prepare and therefore enable the establishment of biosensors with a significant fluorescence response by localizing the fluorescent dye at the optimal position for quenching and antigen-dependent release. The fluorescence changes of biosensors converted from anti-BGP, anti-cortisol, and anti-testosterone antibodies using the rhodamine 6G (or TAMRA)-labeled CQ-probe upon antigen addition were 13 (or 2.6), 9.7 (or 1.5), and 2.1 (or 1.2) times larger than that of the biosensors converted using the PM Q-probe. Furthermore, the CQ-probe converted anti-digoxin IgG into a functional biosensor, whereas the PM Q-probe/antibody complex showed an insufficient response. This technology exhibits a promising capacity to convert antibodies into high-response biosensors, which are expected to be applied in a wide range of fields, including clinical diagnosis, environmental surveys, food analysis, and biological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kana Sasamoto
- Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Takanobu Yasuda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.
| | - Bo Zhu
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Kitaguchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jeong HJ. Quenchbodies That Enable One-Pot Detection of Antigens: A Structural Perspective. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1262. [PMID: 38002387 PMCID: PMC10669387 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Quenchbody (Q-body) is a unique, reagentless, fluorescent antibody whose fluorescent intensity increases in an antigen-concentration-dependent manner. Q-body-based homogeneous immunoassay is superior to conventional immunoassays as it does not require multiple immobilization, reaction, and washing steps. In fact, simply mixing the Q-body and the sample containing the antigen enables the detection of the target antigen. To date, various Q-bodies have been developed to detect biomarkers of interest, including haptens, peptides, proteins, and cells. This review sought to describe the principle of Q-body-based immunoassay and the use of Q-body for various immunoassays. In particular, the Q-bodies were classified from a structural perspective to provide useful information for designing Q-bodies with an appropriate objective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Jin Jeong
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong-si 30016, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ito Y, Sasaki R, Asari S, Yasuda T, Ueda H, Kitaguchi T. Efficient Microfluidic Screening Method Using a Fluorescent Immunosensor for Recombinant Protein Secretions. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2207943. [PMID: 37093208 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microbial secretory protein expression is widely used for biopharmaceutical protein production. However, establishing genetically modified industrial strains that secrete large amounts of a protein of interest is time-consuming. In this study, a simple and versatile high-throughput screening method for protein-secreting bacterial strains is developed. Different genotype variants induced by mutagens are encapsulated in microemulsions and cultured to secrete proteins inside the emulsions. The secreted protein of interest is detected as a fluorescence signal by the fluorescent immunosensor quenchbody (Q-body), and a cell sorter is used to select emulsions containing improved protein-secreting strains based on the fluorescence intensity. The concept of the screening method is demonstrated by culturing Corynebacterium glutamicum in emulsions and detecting the secreted proteins. Finally, productive strains of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) are screened, and the FGF9 secretion increased threefold compared to that of parent strain. This screening method can be applied to a wide range of proteins by fusing a small detection tag. This is a highly simple process that requires only the addition of a Q-body to the medium and does not require the addition of any substrates or chemical treatments. Furthermore, this method shortens the development period of industrial strains for biopharmaceutical protein production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Ito
- Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products and Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-8681, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Sasaki
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products and Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-8681, Japan
| | - Sayaka Asari
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products and Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-8681, Japan
| | - Takanobu Yasuda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kitaguchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rani AQ, Zhu B, Ueda H, Kitaguchi T. Recent progress in homogeneous immunosensors based on fluorescence or bioluminescence using antibody engineering. Analyst 2023; 148:1422-1429. [PMID: 36916979 DOI: 10.1039/d2an01913b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Homogeneous immunosensors integrate the advantages of both biosensors and immunoassays; they include speed, high sensitivity, and accuracy. They have been developed rapidly in the past few years and offer a cost-effective alternative technology with rapidity, sensitivity, and user-friendliness, which has been applied in a wide variety of applications. This review introduces the current directions of immunosensor development, focusing on fluorescent and bioluminescent immunosensors and highlighting the advantages, improvements, and key approaches to overcome the limitations of each.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Qawee Rani
- Moon Creative Lab Inc., 3-10-5 Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan
| | - Bo Zhu
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Kitaguchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Inoue A, Yasuda T, Zhu B, Kitaguchi T, Murakami A, Ueda H. Evaluation and selection of potent fluorescent immunosensors by combining fluorescent peptide and nanobodies displayed on yeast surface. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22590. [PMID: 34799644 PMCID: PMC8604967 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Quenchbody (Q-body) is a quench-based fluorescent immunosensor labeled with fluorescent dye(s) near the antigen-binding site of an antibody. Q-bodies can detect a range of target molecules rapidly and directly. However, because Q-bodies show different antigen responses depending on the antibody used, time-consuming optimization of the Q-body structure is often necessary, and a high-throughput screening method for discriminating and selecting good Q-bodies is required. Here, we aimed to develop a molecular display method of nanobody-based “mini Q-bodies” by combining yeast surface display and coiled-coil forming E4/K4 peptide-based fluorescence labeling. As a result, the yeast-displayed mini Q-body recognizing the anti-cancer agent methotrexate (MTX) showed significant quenching and MTX-dependent dequenching on cells. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed method to select highly responsive mini Q-bodies, a small nanobody library consisting of 30 variants that recognize human serum albumin was used as a model. The best variant, showing a 2.4-fold signal increase, was obtained through selection by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the same nanobody prepared from Escherichia coli also worked as a mini Q-body after dye labeling. The described approach will be applied to quickly obtain well-behaved Q-bodies and other fluorescent biosensors for various targets through directed evolutionary approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akihito Inoue
- Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-R1-18 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Takanobu Yasuda
- Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-R1-18 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Bo Zhu
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta-cho, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Kitaguchi
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta-cho, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan
| | - Akikazu Murakami
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima, 770-8504, Japan.,RePHAGEN Co., Ltd., Uruma, Okinawa, 904-2234, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ueda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta-cho, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8503, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|