Examining variable domain orientations in antigen receptors gives insight into TCR-like antibody design.

ABSTRACT: The variable domains of antibodies and T-Cell receptors (TCRs) share similar structures. Both molecules act as sensors for the immune system but recognise their respective antigens in different ways. Antibodies bind to a diverse set of antigenic shapes whilst TCRs only recognise linear peptides presented by a major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The antigen specificity and affinity of both receptors is determined primarily by the sequence and structure of their complementarity determining regions (CDRs). In antibodies the binding site is also known to be affected by the relative orientation of the variable domains, VH and VL. Here, the corresponding property for TCRs, the Vβ-Vα orientation, is investigated and compared with that of antibodies. We find that TCR and antibody orientations

SUBMITTER: Dunbar J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4168974 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature