Independent folding and conformational changes of the barnase module in the VL-barnase immunofusion: calorimetric evidence

FEBS Lett. 2004 Jan 16;557(1-3):248-52. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)01509-6.

Abstract

Although stability is critical for in vivo application of immunotoxins, a thermodynamic description of their folding/stability is still lacking. We applied differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to RNase-based immunofusion comprising barnase, cytotoxic RNase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, fused to the light chain variable domain (VL) of anti-human ferritin antibody F11. By analyzing DSC curves recorded with or without preheating and addition of the barnase-stabilizing ligand guanosine 3'-monophosphate, we (i). assigned two well-resolved thermal transitions to the VL and barnase modules of VL-barnase, (ii). demonstrated independent folding of these two modules, and (iii). showed altered stability of the barnase module, which resulted from the dimeric state of VL-barnase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus / enzymology*
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Ferritins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Folding
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Ribonucleases / chemistry*
  • Ribonucleases / genetics
  • Ribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Ferritins
  • Ribonucleases
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ribonuclease