Solution structure of a llama single-domain antibody with hydrophobic residues typical of the VH/VL interface

Biochemistry. 2002 Jul 9;41(27):8570-9. doi: 10.1021/bi012169a.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Camelids, New World
  • Gene Library
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Solutions
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Solutions