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Published on: September 14, 2018
Expression, purification and characterisation of a human anti-CDK4 single-chain variable fragment antibody
Jialiang Zhao1, Jingjing Xu1, Tianbin Yang1
1Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
Background:
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) when hyperactivated drives development and maintenance of most tumour types, thus prompting its use as an essential cancer treatment target and a diagnostic tool. Target-binding molecules, such as single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies, hold tremendous potential for use in a wide range of cancer diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Results:
A human anti-CDK4 scFv antibody (AK2) derived from a human phage display library was expressed in soluble form in Escherichia coli and shown to be secreted into the culture supernatant. Next, soluble AK2 within culture supernatant was successfully purified using affinity chromatography then was shown, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, to bind to recombinant human CDK4 with high affinity and specificity. Further analyses of AK2 interactions with intracellular components demonstrated that AK2 recognised and interacted specifically with endogenous CDK4 and thus could be useful for detection of CDK4 within tumour cells.
Conclusions:
A novel anti-CDK4 scFv antibody that can recognise and interact specifically with recombinant human CDK4 and endogenous CDK4 in tumour cells was expressed and purified successfully. These results suggest that the anti-CDK4 scFv antibody may serve as a new and promising tool for achieving CDK4-targeted diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of numerous types of cancers.
Insights
A novel single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody, AK2, specifically targets Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). This antibody shows promise for cancer diagnosis and therapy by detecting CDK4 in tumor cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hyperactivated Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) is crucial in cancer development and maintenance.
- CDK4 is a significant target for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies offer potential in cancer applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel human anti-CDK4 scFv antibody.
- To assess the antibody's binding affinity and specificity to CDK4.
- To evaluate the antibody's potential for detecting endogenous CDK4 in tumor cells.
Main Methods:
- Expression and secretion of a human anti-CDK4 scFv (AK2) in Escherichia coli.
- Purification of soluble AK2 using affinity chromatography.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to determine binding affinity and specificity.
Main Results:
- Soluble AK2 was successfully expressed, secreted, and purified.
- AK2 demonstrated high-affinity and specific binding to recombinant human CDK4.
- AK2 specifically recognized and interacted with endogenous CDK4 within tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- A novel anti-CDK4 scFv antibody (AK2) was successfully developed and purified.
- AK2 specifically targets both recombinant and endogenous CDK4.
- This antibody presents a promising new tool for CDK4-targeted cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

