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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
08:07
Probing High-density Functional Protein Microarrays to Detect Protein-protein Interactions
Published on: August 2, 2015
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Development and Application of Functionalized Protein Binders in Multicellular Organisms
D Bieli1, I Alborelli1, S Harmansa1
1Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
|June 1, 2016
Summary
Genetically encoded protein binders, like nanobodies and DARPins, enable in vivo study of protein interactions in living cells. These tools are vital for understanding protein function and dynamics during organism development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Protein-protein interactions are fundamental to cellular functions.
- Studying these interactions within their native cellular environment is challenging.
- Genetically encoded protein binders offer a novel approach for in vivo analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of genetically encoded protein binders for studying proteins in vivo.
- To highlight the functionalization of nanobodies and DARPins for in vivo studies.
- To discuss their utility in the development of multicellular organisms.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nanobodies derived from camelid heavy-chain antibodies.
- Employing DARPins based on Ankyrin repeat scaffolds.
- Functionalizing these binders for in vivo applications.
Main Results:
- Genetically encoded binders demonstrate functionality within living cells.
- These binders provide direct methods to assess protein function, distribution, and dynamics.
- Applications are shown in the context of multicellular organism development.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic protein binders like nanobodies and DARPins are powerful tools for in vivo biological research.
- Their functionalization allows for detailed studies of protein behavior in native environments.
- Future applications in various biological fields are anticipated.
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