Antigen binding forces of individually addressed single-chain Fv antibody molecules
Year: 1998
Type: article
Abstract: Antibody single-chain Fv fragment (scFv) molecules that are specific for fluorescein have been engineered with a C-terminal cysteine for a directed immobilization on a flat gold surface. Individual scFv molecules can be identified by atomic force microscopy. For selected molecules the antigen binding forces are then determined by using a tip modified with covalently immobilized antigen. An scFv mutant of 12% lower free energy for ligand binding exhibits a statistically significant 20% lower binding force. This strategy of covalent immobilization and measuring well separated single molecules allows the characterization of ligand binding forces in molecular repertoires at the single molecule level and will provide a deeper insight into biorecognition processes.
Authors: Robert Ros, Falk Schwesinger, Dario Anselmetti, Martina Kubon, Rolf Schäfer, Andreas Plückthun, Louis Tiefenauer
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2086712750