Polymerization of immunoglobulin domains: A model system for the development of facilitated macromolecular assembly

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/2/4/007· OSTI ID:6164229

Stevens, F J; Myatt, E A

We have recently determined that monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains (Bence Jones proteins) are capable of reversible polymerization at room temperature. This property, as exhibited by immunoglobulin light chains (normally a component of an intact antibody molecule), may have novel implications for the development of molecular nanotechnology.'' The polymerization capability of the immunoglobulin light chain is associated with the so-called variable domain of this molecule. The variable domain is a durable, compact beta-sheet structure of molecular weight approximately 12,000. Most of the primary sequence variation is limited to one portion of the molecule, that portion associated with the contribution of immunoglobulin light chains to the recognition and binding of thousand of different antigens by antibodies. As a consequence of these variations, different light chains polymerize with different degrees of avidity, from negligible to extensive. The polymerization process depends on solution parameters such as Ph. Thus, polymerization might be induced at one pH and suppressed or reversed at another. Combinations of molecules of appropriate specificities could assemble into structures of predetermined three-dimensional forms and properties. These features suggest that Bence Jones proteins represent a powerful model system within which to develop empirical rules relevant to a technology of protein-based construction''. Development of these rules will require the combined efforts of biophysical and crystallographic studies, protein engineering, and molecular modeling. 53 refs., 5 figs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6164229
• Report Number(s): ANL/CP-74444; CONF-9111148--1; ON: DE92004723
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANTIBODIES
BIOPHYSICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DESIGN
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
INFORMATION NEEDS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
PH VALUE
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
PROTEIN ENGINEERING
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS