Direct immobilization of engineered nanobodies on gold sensors

Simões, Bárbara and Guedens, Wanda J. and Keene, Charlie and Kubiak-Ossowska, Karina and Mulheran, Paul and Kotowska, Anna M. and Scurr, David J. and Alexander, Morgan R. and Broisat, Alexis and Johnson, Steven and Muyldermans, Serge and Devoogdt, Nick and Adriaensens, Peter and Mendes, Paula M. (2021) Direct immobilization of engineered nanobodies on gold sensors. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 13 (15). pp. 17353-17360. ISSN 1944-8244 (https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c02280)

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Abstract

Single-domain antibodies, known as nanobodies, have great potential as biorecognition elements for sensors because of their small size, affinity, specificity, and robustness. However, facile and efficient methods of nanobody immobilization are sought that retain their maximum functionality. Herein, we describe the direct immobilization of nanobodies on gold sensors by exploiting a modified cysteine strategically positioned at the C-terminal end of the nanobody. The experimental data based on secondary ion mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, and surface plasmon resonance, taken together with a detailed computational work (molecular dynamics simulations), support the formation of stable and well-oriented nanobody monolayers. Furthermore, the nanobody structure and activity is preserved, wherein the nanobody is immobilized at a high density (approximately 1 nanobody per 13 nm2). The strategy for the spontaneous nanobody self-assembly is simple and effective and possesses exceptional potential to be used in numerous sensing platforms, ranging from clinical diagnosis to environmental monitoring.

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