Abstract
The new antigen receptor (NAR) from sharks consists of a single immunoglobulin variable domain attached to five constant domains, and is hypothesised to function as an antibody. Two closely related NARs with affinity for the Kgp (lysine-specific) gingipain protease from Porphyromonas gingivalis were selected by panning an NAR variable domain library. When produced in Escherichia coli, these recombinant NARs were stable, correctly folded, and specifically bound Kgp (K(d)=1.31+/-0.26x10(-7) M). Binding localised to the Kgp adhesin domains, however without inhibiting adhesin activity. These naturally occurring proteins indicate an immune response to pathogenic bacteria and suggest that the NAR is a true antibody-like molecule.
MeSH terms
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Adhesins, Bacterial
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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Binding Sites
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Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
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Cysteine Endopeptidases / immunology
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Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
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DNA / genetics
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Epitope Mapping
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Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases
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Hemagglutinins / genetics
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Hemagglutinins / immunology
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Hemagglutinins / metabolism*
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Immunoglobulins / chemistry*
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Immunoglobulins / genetics
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Immunoglobulins / metabolism*
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In Vitro Techniques
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Peptide Library
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Porphyromonas gingivalis / enzymology
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Porphyromonas gingivalis / genetics
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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Receptors, Antigen / chemistry*
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Receptors, Antigen / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen / metabolism*
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Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
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Recombinant Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Sharks / immunology
Substances
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Adhesins, Bacterial
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Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases
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Hemagglutinins
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Immunoglobulins
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Peptide Library
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Receptors, Antigen
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Recombinant Proteins
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nurse shark antigen receptor
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DNA
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Cysteine Endopeptidases