Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

08:51
Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing
Published on: March 15, 2019
Conserved amino acid networks involved in antibody variable domain interactions
Norman Wang1, William F Smith, Brian R Miller
1Biogen Idec, San Diego, California 92122, USA.
Proteins
|December 18, 2008
Summary
Researchers identified conserved amino acid networks in antibody variable regions (V(H) and V(L)) to improve engineered antibody therapeutics. These networks, particularly at the V(H)-V(L) interface, are crucial for antibody stability and function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Engineered antibodies are critical protein therapeutics with numerous applications.
- Understanding the structural basis of antibody stability is key for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify conserved amino acid networks in antibody variable domains (V(H) and V(L)).
- To provide data for engineering more robust antibody therapeutics.
- To understand evolutionary constraints on antibody structure and function.
Main Methods:
- Generated a large sequence alignment of V-class Ig-folds.
- Quantified residue covariations using correlation coefficients (phi-values) to identify conserved networks.
- Analyzed conserved pairs at V(H)-V(L) and V(H)-C(H)1 interfaces.
Main Results:
- Identified key conserved amino acid pairs in V(H) and V(L) domains.
- Found strong conservation at the V(H)-V(L) interface, suggesting heterodimerization is an evolutionary constraint.
- Observed conserved V(H) residue pairs at the V(H)-C(H)1 interface, also present but functionally different in camelid V(HH) domains.
Conclusions:
- Naturally conserved amino acid networks in antibody Fv regions can guide the design of improved antibody therapeutics.
- The V(H)-V(L) interface conservation highlights its importance for antibody stability.
- Understanding these networks aids in enhancing the biophysical properties of antibody-based drugs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Antibody Structure
Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Antibody Structure
Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Antibody Structure and Classes
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are produced by B cells in response to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. These proteins are critical for recognizing and neutralizing these substances, protecting the body from potential harm.
The basic structure of an antibody consists of four protein chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. These chains are held together by disulfide bonds and other non-covalent interactions, forming a Y-shaped structure.
The basic structure of an antibody consists of four protein chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. These chains are held together by disulfide bonds and other non-covalent interactions, forming a Y-shaped structure.
Conserved Binding Sites
Many proteins’ biological role depends on their interactions with their ligands, small molecules that bind to specific locations on the protein known as ligand-binding sites. Ligand-binding sites are often conserved among homologous proteins as these sites are critical for protein function.
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...
Conserved Binding Sites
Many proteins’ biological role depends on their interactions with their ligands, small molecules that bind to specific locations on the protein known as ligand-binding sites. Ligand-binding sites are often conserved among homologous proteins as these sites are critical for protein function.
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...
Binding sites are often located in large pockets, and if their location on a protein’s surface is unknown, it can be predicted using various approaches. The energetic method computationally analyses the...
Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
Protein domains are small structurally independent units that are part of a single amino acid chain. Although these domains are often structurally independent, they may rely on synergistic effects to perform their functions as part of a larger protein. Protein domains may be conserved within the same organism, as well as across different organisms.
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to form...
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to form...

