Computational design of high-affinity epitope scaffolds by backbone grafting of a linear epitope.

ABSTRACT: Computational grafting of functional motifs onto scaffold proteins is a promising way to engineer novel proteins with pre-specified functionalities. Typically, protein grafting involves the transplantation of protein side chains from a functional motif onto structurally homologous regions of scaffold proteins. Using this approach, we previously transplanted the human immunodeficiency virus 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes onto heterologous proteins to design novel "epitope-scaffold" antigens. However, side-chain grafting is limited by the availability of scaffolds with compatible backbone for a given epitope structure and offers no route to modify backbone structure to improve mimicry or binding affinity. To address this, we report here a new and more aggressive computational method-backbone grafting

SUBMITTER: Azoitei ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7105911 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature