Binding to function
Understand molecular pathways and signaling
Learn more about how specific biological signals are initiated and transmitted by studying the sequence of molecular binding events and observing how binding changes under different conditions. Relating binding properties, such as binding stability and bivalency, to biological function can give further insight into how biological processes are triggered.
The CD20 targeting therapeutic antibodies Ofatumumab (blue) and Rituximab (orange) differ in their binding stability to Ramos cells (upper panel). The first component of the complement system, C1q is binding more stable to cells coated with Ofatumumab (blue) compared to cells with Rituximab (orange) (lower panel). The differences in antibody binding stability is thus reflected in the interaction of C1q with antibody opsonized cells and match with the known superior complement activation capability of Ofatumumab.
Gained information
- Sequence of binding events
- Relation between binding and function
- Molecular events important for signal initiation
- If/how binding influences magnitude of biological signal
Key publications
Transitional changes in the CRP structure lead to the exposure of proinflammatory binding sites.
Braig D, Nero T L, Koch HG, Kaiser B, Wang X, Thiele JR, Morton CJ, Zeller J, Kiefer J, Potempa LA, Mellett NA, Miles LA, Du XJ, Meikle PJ, Huber-Lang M, Stark GB, Parker MW, Peter K, Eisenhardt SU.
Nat Commun. 2017. 8:14188.
Summary
PubMed
Complement-dependent activity of CD20-specific IgG correlates with bivalent antigen binding and C1q binding strength.
Bondza S, Marosan A, Kara S, Lösing J, Peipp M, Nimmerjahn F, Buijs J, Lux A.
Front Immunol. 2021. 11:609941.
Summary
Read
Examples of insights
